A small fleet of P-99’s would serve the country well IMHO, though I still think that they should also have an AAM capability as well.

Gaz: Has the RNZAF started looking at what to replace the Orions with? They like our AP-3C’s really don’t have that long to go before they need to be replaced, say 10-15 years.

Maybe NZ can settle an agreement with Austrilia stateing that RAAF is to protect NZ skies. Very cheap. I don’t think Australia would mind.

Why would we want to send our force over there? A. We really don’t have enough for ourselves let alone enough to help them, our P.M. is only too happy to jump to the call of GWB than Helen Clarke who is our neighbour. Personally I think that since Clarke and Howard got into power in their respective countries, relations between the two countries have soured a little, especially with the loss of Ansett. B. Again Back to GWB, howard would rather send Hornets and Tankers to Kazahkstan to bomb Iraq on some silly war with no purpose other than to control the worlds oil and appease GHB than protect a close and good ally whom we’ve been in battle with most of our two countries short lives!

I think that additional P-3s would be more useful than fighters. NZ has an important EEZ to survey and a fleet of orions armed with harpoon, maverick, SLAM-ER is a credible dissuasion force.

A good thought but the orions are both starting to get on and are loosing some of their capabilities in upgrades. Personally I’d like to see the full capability restored to the Orions as well as developing a capability for firing AAM’s as a self protection matter.

Just face it: any enemy that can bring an offensive force all the way to New Zealand which the RNZAF has to fight, is an enemy way stronger than New Zealand can afford fighting.

So China’s Blue Water build up is really no need for concern? And what if they finally put to sea with a carrier that suprises everyone who thinks they don’t have one? Memories of the Yamato class spring tio mind here, covered building preventing pics from being taken, never seen before security to protect any info leeks. OK China might not have one, but who’s to say that can’t build one without anyone knowing?

Combat jets in the New Zealand military are as useful as arctic mountain commandos in the Egyptian military.

Even the best military planers account for everything, you of all people should know that mate!

Ms Clarke gets to fly to “important” meetings in one of the two 757’s, can’t forget that….

Yeah and don’t forget, flying in the navy helos as well, look on the RNZN website for those pics. IMHO she’s a little kid who can’t stop playing with her toys.

But anyone that can attempt to invade New Zealand will not be deterred by a handful of F-16’s.

A hand full of what ever is better than nothing at all.