New Zealand Skyhawks SOLD! (maybe?)

The decommissioned Royal New Zealand Air Force A-4 Skyhawks which have been sitting on the ground for the last 8 years are nearly sold.

The 17 jets were deemed useless by the NZ labour government at the time along with a further 17 Aermacchi MB-339 and they took the decision (stupid in my opinion) to retire the aircraft with nothing to succeed them. Most of the RNZAF's fighter pilots subsequently left New Zealand to serve in the Royal Australian Air Force and the UK Royal Air Force. Defence minister Wayne Mapp has expressed a desire for the Aermacchi fleet to return to service, but Prime Minister John Key says it is extremely unlikely that any jet training will be restored.

The US Government have blocked the sale of the Skyhawks over the last several years undoubtedly as a shrug to NZ's anti-nuclear policy but the cold (military) relations between New Zealand and the United States have thawed somewhat in recent years and now the US have finally given State Department, Congress and Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco approval.!

So what is the NZ taxpayer getting back for this depletion in our airspace security?
about $155 Million NZ Dollars. Thats about 38 bucks for each person in NZ.

Ok, I know that buying new planes and upkeep would be more than that but my point is, in the vast pocket of the treasury, surely they can find a few million bucks to buy even a handfull of new jet aircraft for the (tiny) RNZAF. I have a rationale, if you are interested.

New Zealand, I hope it was worth it.

• related: NZ Needs Fighter Planes! >>
• related: US/NZ Training ban likely to end >>