“It’s certainly the policy of the current Government to work more closely with Australia.”
Tomorrow, two F-35As will practise attacks – co-ordinated by the New Zealand Army – in the Waiouru Military Training Area.
“It’s probably a good thing for both sides to get to know each other,” Hoadley said.
On whether New Zealand would get its own combat aircraft again, Hoadley said there were “no rumours, no aspirations, certainly no budget”.
Air & Space Forces magazine last week said the latest F-35 unit cost was about US$92m ($156m).
In May 2001, the Government announced disbandment of the RNZAF air combat arm.
New Zealand’s Chief of Air Force Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb said this week’s exercises included the RAAF establishing an overseas forward arming and refuelling point (FARP) for the first time outside Australia.
The FARP at Ohakea will be a temporary facility.
Such facilities typically provided fuel and ammunition closer to a combat zone than a force’s home base.
“It seems odd because New Zealand is not in the direction of a major challenge, which means China of course,” Hoadley said.
“I thought they might go up to the Philippines, which is frontline now.”
He said the US Navy had an enhanced presence in the Philippines and was trying to keep China “bottled up” in the South China Sea.
On the F-35 Lightning II visit to New Zealand, Hoadley said he could not recall a similar earlier example.
The New Zealand Defence Force said it would be the first such visit.
“Maybe it’s an attempt by Australia to practise its long-range deployment.”
He suggested the exercise might help Australia project power at distance.
The Australian Defence Force described the F-35A Lightning II as a highly advanced multi-role, supersonic, fifth-generation stealth fighter.
“It’s the most often purchased,” Hoadley said, referring to currently operating advanced combat aircraft.
Polish Air Force F-35 fighter jets – pictured at the aircraft’s official entry into service in June this year. Photo / AFP
“There are more of them in advanced air forces around the world than any other.”
He said the F-35 had some rivals, with some cheaper, but none widely regarded as being more capable.
Hoadley said some nations were developing sixth generation fighters.
None are yet operational.
He said the F-35 was “the fighter of choice, if you can afford it”.
Potential rivals might include a “Chinese knock-off” or Russian Sukhoi but buying an F-35 came with strings attached.
“You can’t on-sell it, you can’t talk about its secrets.”
Political turmoil could also affect F-35 sales.
Canadian media last week reported Canada was reviewing a contract for 72 of the aircraft after the tariffs dispute with the United States flared.
Hoadley said the Canadians were considering a Swedish-made alternative which was “95% as good” and a little cheaper, and with fewer political obligations attached.
Canada’s Globe and Mail newspaper on Thursday said Sweden’s Saab was intensely pitching to sell its Gripen jets to Canada.
F-35 operators are all US allies and Lockheed Martin of the US is the lead F-35 contractor.
The RNZAF said the visit was an exciting opportunity for New Zealand to work with some of the most advanced warfighting technology in the world.
After the Waiouru exercises, the jets will have rehearsed interceptions with RNZAF P-8A Poseidon aircraft.
A Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft. Photo / NZDF
The stealth fighters will return to Australia on Thursday.
Webb said the exercise reflected both air forces’ desire to build joint operational strength in support of regional security and global stability.
“One of the key objectives we have set in working together is to enhance our operational readiness by conducting combined exercises which develop shared combat capability.”
John Weekes is a business journalist covering aviation. He also has experience covering consumer affairs, crime, politics and courts.
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