Good book called ‘Advanced Tactical Fighter to F-22 Raptor’ by Aronstein, hirschberg and Piccirillo. The latter was ATF program manger 1983-87. A good comentry of the fly-off and merits of both aircraft. In the end it was cost – risk related to approach and manufacturing which decieded it…therefore sensible balanced desicion.

Old saying – if you don’t know!… your guessing. two aircraft would have been assessed in relation to performance criteria and other criteria re risk/cost/manufacture/ability,

NZ just about right

NZ forces have been structured and funded to control their economic zone, provide a useful contribution to desaster relief and to act in concert with other forces as part of a multi-national interventions supported by the UN.

Its contribution is conmensurate with its size, is economically sustainable and effective (its a country of 4 million people with a GNP per capita of $13-14,000 US). They were the only contry to offer frigates to join the British task force to the Falklands…in the end replacing British units patroling in the middle east.

I think by all accounts they are a creditable participant in international peace keeping operations (e.g. Bosnia, Timor). They are prepared to put men in harms way to maintain peace – not a few fighter jocks.

The only concern I have NZ’s defense force is that when you put people on the ground in harms wa, they should be reasonably well equiped should things go bad. Sending M113’s armed with 12.7mm HMG’s to bosina isn’t that good, if things get nasty those forces would need to rely on other nation’s forces (probably the UK’s) to help them out….still there all there to do the job. Even the dutch were ill prepared to intervine at Serbrenia in an appropriate way.

AS for jet fighters…NZ has done the right thing and got ride of them. The only use they would have had for them is to squeeze them into an multi-national operation…unfortunatly keeping up with the technology and requirements of US and her more significant allies is extremly expensive. Its a bit like inviting Minardi to a F1 Grand Prix. If they can’t keep up then they are just baggage.

Attacking NZ….You would need a significant amphibious force, kiwi’s are unlikely to lay down and roll over. But what force could sustain an amphibious task force in this part of the world (NZ is 1600km from Australia and 3000km from Indonesia). NZ is part of the larger western intelligence network and no nation would or could carry out an effective landing knowing that supply lines have to run the gauntlett of western forces…

NZ strategic value…good country to supply milk, cheese, meat and wool in a drawn out war and prehaps some production of weapons as its going to be hard to bomb…unless it all goes nuclear.