You are correct in that statement, but I would add that it's better to have options in spare with a large mature local logistical train(flight time to europe is roughly 19-20 hrs Hawaii is 10 hrs or Japan is 10hrs)as for the MAN a majority of the spares would be of a COTS nature very little would have procurement problems.
So far a rough estimate would be about 250 NH90 built by comyparison there have various sources have estimated that more than 2,000 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter variants are in service with the US Military and more than 600 exported over the years but that also comes with a design that started out in the 1970's. It might not be the best but it's a known quantity with a reliable supplier.
With hopefully an expanded JATF in years to come and perhaps a commonality with ADF Artillery in a few years heavy lift rotary will become of more importance in both land and martime environments
Of course nothing to suggest otherwise is out there because I am the first to raise it. Someone has to and it may as well be me. I tend to kite raise after I have done a QRT SMART type exercise before I road test an idea.
Likewise I do not think it is over-reaching in the medium term. Over reaching meets over caution which is a natural reaction to anything which is the shock of the new. A solution is required to meet a demonstrative and long standing capability gap that being a lack of a light tactical transport and a politically driven cost cutting which led to an under-ordering of MUH (NH-90). With that consideration laid bare then factoring in over the medium term the increased activity tempo that most commentators in the Def&IR field are expecting in the region. Thus the identified issue is exacerbated.
What platform characteristics does one require to solve this issue when you look at our Conops both combat orientated and HADR noting that we are a couple of distant islands in a very big Ocean and whom also an area of responsibility and interest over a large part of that including thousands of populated island scattered over 1/10th of the earths surface?
The MAN trucks are fine as they are essentially a non complex OTS commercial procurement. However I stand by my statement that when it comes to perceptions held by our people who sign the cheques that more complex defence equipment with respect to ongoing logistical support the US contractors are superior to others. That is a major consideration and lesson learnt right from the acquisition stage. Vindicated in the recent T-6 deal which is seem as the recent gold standard in defence procurement from an end user Govt perspective.
I mean nothing out their as in officialy, from govt sources not on here, as the problem has been identified and mentioned for years since the disappearrance of the andovers and has only just made more of a resurgence of late due to the C130 replacement program. I have seen actual suggestions from govt of C17, A400 and C295 (although I hold just as much hope of seeing any of these just yet) but still no mention of CH47, not even a whisper now unless the string pullers are playing secret santa not sure why it has not even rated a mention if it was at least passing thought amongst the beans that be.
We have our (NZs) 'heavy' lift helo, it's the NH90, large cabin, greater external lift, ramp etc otherwise we could have just aqquired the proven and in use blackhawks instead and been away laughing. NH90 is our island hopping, HADR, civil and mil tasking platform and there is always going to be that bigger task but we cover off what we mostly do and find a median capability to best fit and perform the majority of requirements. If it was more crucial to cover heavy lift then we would have a fleet of chinnoks instead of NH90s (again albeit smaller) but this was deemed the best fit with all considerations taken into account and within limits. We are not one of the big boy air forces (in terms of assets) and quite literally cannot afford multiple types for the sake of perceived taskings or one offs so find something that works for us and make best use within those limitations.
If CH47 came at the expense of C235/C295 or C27 then for me I would see more use, benefit and scope in the fixed wing version for our particular requirements (not Aus, US or Chinas etc). To think we would get both, mantain, train and support is again is over reaching in my veiw, we need to live within our means and that will require sacrifice and forgoing certain requirements but we make do.
Yes understand govt obviously would favour a reliable and robust supply chain but again not at the expense of fit for purpose and to be honest I have still seen nothing to suggest we favour one side of the world over the other in terms of recent major aqquisitions. In fact the last major defining supply chain issue was from Kaman so to put euro equipment into a corner seems abit bias, both have issues regardless of origin, cost, distance and prevelance around the world.
I have not heard of NH90 missing any jobs/tasks/missions due to a lack of available numbers or overworking and in conjuction with the A109 fleet actually far exceed what lift we had in the past (16 UH, 5 sioux vs 8 90s, 5 109). Internal space, seating, reliability, performance, all weather all add up to a functional workable squadron, whilst nice to have do we actually at this time require more considering factors such as operating costs, crewing, hours etc, again I'm not fully sold.
