Fighter wing costly to rebuild: officials

Rebuilding the air combat wing will take at least 10 years and cost billions of dollars, say Defence Force leaders.

Opposition MPs on Parliament's foreign affairs, defence and trade select committee yesterday questioned Defence Force chief Carey Adamson about the Government's decision to scrap the Skyhawk and Aermacchi fighter jets.

Act MP Rodney Hide asked why Air Marshal Adamson had refused to release two documents provided to the Government, detailing the implications of its defence policy and the removal of air combat capability.

Air Marshal Adamson said the decision was made to protect the exchange of free and frank advice between his officials and the Government.

He had no difficulty with releasing the reports, but the Government had decided to withhold them.

Air Marshal Adamson said Defence Minister Mark Burton had the documents and several requests for them under the Official Information Act were being considered.

Asked whether the reports were positive on the implications of the defence policy, he replied: "No."

He said the reports dealt with concerns that New Zealand's commitment to other countries' defence forces would be curtailed by the loss of the air combat force. It also discussed the cost of reforming the wing.

"Once you lose the aircraft it would cost a fortune to get them back again."

Pressed on the figure, Air Marshal Adamson said it would cost two to three times the estimated saving over the next decade by scrapping the wing.

The Government has said that saving will be $870 million.

Prime Minister Helen Clark says the policy will build a modern, efficient and high-quality defence force.

The Government had provided for a small increase in net operating funding for defence, and capital investment of more than $2 billion over the next 10 years.

nzherald.co.nz/defence