Air Force retires Iroquois

The Air Force has started retiring its ageing Iroquois helicopters as it prepares for eight French-made choppers.

Two of the 14 Iroquois have been put into storage at Ohakea Air Base but could be returned to flying within a day if needed.

The 14 Iroquois are to be replaced by NH90 helicopters which will begin arriving about the middle of next year and be fully commissioned by 2013.

New Zealand ordered the French helicopters in 2006 in a $771 million deal which included the aircraft, spare parts and training.

Spokesman Squadron Leader Kavae Tamariki said: "Essentially we can do what we need to do with 12 helicopters [Iroquois], so it is all about winding down the use of the Iroquois in preparation for the introduction of the new helicopters."

The other Iroquois would continue to be used until all eight new helicopters had been commissioned.

The Air Force got its first five Iroquois in 1966 and the fleet was added to over the years. Two crashed, one in 1972 and one in 1995.

Two pilots and a crewman are already in France for training on the new helicopters.

New hangars are being built at Ohakea for the NH90s and for the Augusta 109s which will replace the Air Force's Sioux training helicopters.

- NZPA