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ARC-Photographic In reply to Microscopics-UNTD [2016-08-21 21:28:23 +0000 UTC]

I remember watching them fly over when I was a boy living in Wellington. I loved the twin tails.
The RNZAF has no jets now...

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Microscopics-UNTD In reply to ARC-Photographic [2016-08-22 03:41:00 +0000 UTC]

None? Then how do they compete with other air forces? 

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ARC-Photographic In reply to Microscopics-UNTD [2016-08-22 11:29:43 +0000 UTC]

Well, there really aren't any other air forces nearby... I think if some aggressor got hopeless lost and found themselves down here, and decided to give us a hard time, then we would probably look to Australia (they kindly send their jets ,often with their Kiwi pilots, over for airshows). I'm not sure about plan B if Australia was the one giving us a hard time... why would they? It would seem an over-reaction for us giving them a thrashing at rugby.

A while back the government was looking to replace our A4 Skyhawks. The cost was enormous of course, and with technology changing, they would need to plan for more upgrading in the future. With no actual threat, and a population of only 4 million to pay for it all, they decided not to bother. NZ has a highly trained professional armed forces, but small and focused. The air force is about maritime surveillance and transport. They spent money on beefing up the navy frigates and off-shore patrol vessels, and equipping our army to be able to be deployed quickly and integrate with our partners. Best described as a work in progress. 

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Microscopics-UNTD In reply to ARC-Photographic [2016-08-22 16:09:38 +0000 UTC]

But TBH, New Zealand has no enemies. 

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