Revamp sets sights for air patrol role

By PAULA OLIVER

Fresh from the unenviable task of culling 350 jobs, a neutered Air Force has a new target in its sights - securing a quick upgrade of its remaining aircraft.

All the operational aircraft left after the scrapping of the Skyhawk-led air combat wing are more than 30 years old.

And while the Government has pledged to either upgrade or replace the aircraft, Air Force staff have warned that unless it happens quickly, some of them will become risks.

Known as Project Reshape, the changes being made to the Air Force are destined to leave the service more focused on maritime patrol and air transport roles.

The dismantling of the air combat wing is just one part of the project. It is expected to save $870 million over the next 10 years.

The decision to scrap the wing was based on the Government's desire to have a sustainable defence force that works together.

The country's military hardware has suffered from years of neglect, and is in desperate need of a facelift.

But to avoid an insurmountable price tag, tough decisions have had to be made.

Changes outside the scrapping of the air combat wing include the helicopter squadron moving from Auckland's Hobsonville base to Ohakea next year.

A further 350 jobs will be cut over the next four years. This week's payouts to staff totalled $3.4 million.

The future of Whenuapai is also up in the air. An official decision on what role it will play in the revamped Air Force has not been made, but Defence Minister Mark Burton has hinted that further consolidation to Ohakea is possible.

Sources within the Air Force indicate they do not hold out much hope for Whenuapai.

Critics of Project Reshape say that the cost of abandoning an air strike wing is much greater than the obvious loss of its people.

David Dickens, the director of Victoria University's Centre of Strategic Studies, told the Weekend Herald that without a combat wing, New Zealand looked like a country that did not take defence seriously.

"If we are serious about defence, then we have to be serious about preparing people for combat. As a country we are measured on many things, but ultimately it's our security policy. Will we help others in their hour of need? From a political point of view, it's the wrong decision. It says that we don't take our relations with other countries seriously."

Dr Dickens said it was important to remember that the first round of job losses came in technical areas - avionics and aircraft technicians.

Not only had the people cost New Zealand a lot to train, but a high number now planned to take their skills overseas.

"These are bright people. I talked to a couple of former technicians the other day who are doing fantastically well in IT. "That's one of the ironies of this, their jobs are part of the knowledge economy."

Dr Dickens said that the Air Force's technical staff also set the standard for the country's civilian aviation industry. Many of them eventually left the service to work in the commercial industry.

Plans to upgrade what remains of the Air Force are under way, with a cabinet paper on the Orions expected to be produced by the end of the month. It is hoped that work on the outdated radar equipment will start in 2003.

The Iroquois helicopters look likely to be replaced. The RNZAF has recently bought replacement structural components, which means they could operate for several more years. But the Air Force acknowledges a risk in continuing to operate 35-year-old aircraft.

Hercules transport planes are also due for either a revamp or replacement. An outside contractor is about to be signed to assess their condition, a project that will take until next August. Work on the Hercules needs to completed by 2007, when the planes will become risky.

Two Boeing 727s used to ferry defence staff are also due for replacement. Ohakea is in line for a $20 million runway reconstruction, although a decision on that has been delayed.

Air Force staff remain positive about the service's future, and intent on achieving what has been a difficult goal for many years - actually getting the equipment upgrades they need.

nzherald.co.nz/defence