NZ Govt considering x2 RNZAF C-17s

[tartare]

Well, it seems you chaps may have been right:
Two new Boeing C-17s to cost NZDF $600m - Business - NZ Herald News'
They're certainly sounding serious, and the money's being budgeted for.
Could politicians actually be about to make a sensible decision?
They should just bite the bullet and buy 4 of the damn things.
Now wait for the Greens to start wailing...
And while we're at it, why on earth they didn't just buy Blackhawks instead of those NH-90 pieces of junk...

[josephfeatherweight]

Hope NZ gets them. Best "off the shelf" purchase the RAAF ever made!

[Sandy Parts]

Anyone suggested leasing them and then ending up paying for them again when you buy them and some more? no? just the UK then

[Hempy]

The Kiwis are pretty switched on (NH-90 aside). The Skyhawk decision, whilst derided in some quarters was sound. I expect this purchase to go through tbh.

[flyinkiwi]

Those planes would be used (among other things) for disaster relief and supplying aid, that's something not even the most ardent treehugger could gripe about.

[reynoldsno1]

I would have thought a partnership/combined squadron with the RAAF is worth considering ...

[etimegev]

That's far too sensible an idea

[TBM-Legend]

Combined squadron not required when 3 hours away is a Sim/training facility maintenance etc etc.

Sovereignty is important.

[Pontius Navigator]

Sandy, wasn't buying them cheaper than the excess mileage charge

[KenV]

Those planes would be used (among other things) for disaster relief and supplying aid, that's something not even the most ardent treehugger could gripe about.

I believe you are under estimating the ardency of many tree huggers, who will insist the C-17s be fueled by 100% "carbon neutral" biofuel.

[Uncle Ginsters]

"Sandy, wasn't buying them cheaper than the excess mileage charge "

Pretty sure the UK didn't win that one - IIRC the rental was such that a single hour flown beyond the agreement would've made it cheaper to buy in the first place.
And that was a 4-year lease that then took until 2008 to buy them outright.

Still the best acquisition the RAF has made in a long time though...one day we might even use then beyond Strat AT cart horses.