I agree with you completely here. Look at less capable cheaper options that would supplement the OPV's.
Royal New Zealand Air Force
- Thread starter Lucasnz
- Start date
This would probably be the preferred option but another maybe the AW109 or variant that could add to the present AW109 fleet at a later stage.
recce.k1
Well-Known Member
Yes the AW109 or variant has the advantage of commonality within the current NZDF fleet (as likely Defence would not want to bring another design into the wider fleet, with different support and training requirements). Might suit most AoG type support needs?
The AW109 though does carry a much smaller underslung load compared to anything else (eg Seasprite, Seahawk etc) and has smaller cabin space. Noting that the RNZN dive team have been deploying in the very large USN MH-53 on exercises so perhaps their requirements might be better suited to something larger, in our case Seahawk (as presumably the RAN divers use as well)?
(Musn't forget RobC's words of wisdom - buy and operate milspec capabilities as much as possible)!
recce.k1
Well-Known Member
Yeah four years seems to be the typical order/delivery timeframe for Seahawks judging by other recent international orders. But judging by the certainty of this deal for NZ (and presumably there might have been some "healthy" discussions between the two sides) it would be interesting if the US can offer to supply an airframe (or two) in say half that time frame in order to kick start the transition away from Seasprite?
However USN do not appear to be ordering MH-60R for themselves in FY25 and FY26 to enable this, so long shot if possible, it may mean diverting an international order, which if I understand the FMS process they are designated as USN anyway initially (ok might be poor choices of wording on my behalf but others more knowledgeable might be able to spell the process out better).
Failing that surely some refurbished cabs could be utilised in the interim instead (S-70?), much like how Kaman provided interim refurbished SH-2F's to the NZDF in the late '90's until the newbuilt SH-2G(NZ)'s were ready, back in the early 2000's? At least the S-70 is cleared for most of the functionality the RNZN needs?