Hon Phil Goff
Minister of Defence
28 November 2007
Aermacchis rejected by Defence as advanced pilot training aircraft – Goff
The New Zealand Defence Force has been given the go-ahead to replace its current advanced training aircraft, and will
issue a tender early next year, Defence Minister Phil Goff said today.
“The NZDF looked at the possibility of the Aermacchis being used to replace the King Air advanced pilot training
aircraft during the evaluation stage, but ruled it out,” Phil Goff said.
“The Aermacchis were rejected as an option because they are not suitable for providing full training capabilities
necessary for the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s upgraded C130 Hercules, P3 Orions and 757s and the new helicopter
fleets.
“Another factor was the cost of the package of training aircraft that would have included the Aermacchis, which was
three times the operating cost of purpose-specific aircraft.
“It was prudent for the NZDF to consider the Aermacchis, but this does not signal a change in status in the sale of the
Skyhawks and the Aermacchis. The sale process to a United States purchaser remains in play, despite frustrations in New
Zealand over the delays caused by the US system. The US Government has to ratify any sale of Skyhawk aircraft under the
original agreement to purchase military aircraft from that country.”
ENDS