Appendix 4: Recommendations of the Final Report of the Air Combat Capability Study—October 1998

note that this study has confirmed the White Paper requirement for New Zealand to retain an air combat capability.

note that an air combat capability has high utility in contributing to New Zealand’s defence strategy of self-reliance in partnership, including low level security challenges to New Zealand sovereignty, our security relationship with Australia, and supporting regional and global security.

note that the study has confirmed the three operational roles of Close Air Support, Air Interdiction and Maritime Strike, as the best match with New Zealand’s security requirements.

agree that the capability of the A-AK Skyhawk with the upgrades identified in the White Paper, while broadly satisfactory, has a number of operational and policy limitations which will increase as the Skyhawk approaches the end of its life.

agree that other broad capability options such as Surface-to-Surface missiles, Long-range Artillery, Fighter-Bomber Aircraft, and Surface Combatants are not suitable for meeting New Zealand’s air combat capability requirements, and should not be considered further.

agree that New Zealand should not consider further an Attack Helicopter or Light Attack Aircraft as a replacement for the A-4K Skyhawk. We should also not consider the P-3K Orion as the sole maritime strike capability.

agree that the operational performance and policy value of a current production fourth generation multi-role fighter aircraft such as an F-16C/D makes it the only capability option for meeting air combat capability requirements over the longer term.

note that an initial production fourth generation multi-role aircraft, such as an F-16A/B, with suitable upgrades, offers opportunities for New Zealand’s replacement of the A-4K.

note that the indicative through-life cost of a current production fourth generation multi-role fighter used for the purposes of this study was that of a new F-16C/D at NZ$1.8B.

note that consideration should be given to acquisition strategies that introduce the capability at a lower cost, such as leasing or procuring suitable second-hand aircraft.