Sale in sight for Skyhawks

The Air Force's mothballed Skyhawk fighter bombers and Aermacchi jet trainers are close to being sold.

The consultancy overseeing the sale of the 17 Skyhawks and 17 Aermacchis said yesterday that it hoped soon to make a recommendation on buyers for both fleets to the Government.

Gareth Morgan, from Ernst & Young, said he was "tidying up" several issues relating to the sale of the aircraft before the recommendation was made.

"We are very happy with where the process sits at the moment."

The Skyhawks had reached the end of their operational life and would mainly be used for advanced training, he said.

Several issues, including political considerations, had to be satisfied before the sale was finalised.

They included the eventual buyer, how the aircraft would be used, and who could have access to the details of the construction and weapons and navigation systems, particularly on the Skyhawks.

The United States, Italy and Britain all had to be consulted about the sale because of their interest in the design and components.

Word in the aviation industry is that the Skyhawks may be sold to a private Canadian company. Some could be used in Canadian Navy training and others in the Australian Navy.

New Zealand had an agreement with the Australian Government for several years when the Air Force's No 2 Squadron had six Skyhawks based at Nowra to train with the Australian Navy.

Mr Morgan said about eight aircraft in each fleet remained operational and could be flown to their new owners but how they would be delivered had yet to be decided.

He could not say when the recommendation on a buyer would be put to the Government.

"It is dependent on parties offshore and we can't control their timing."

Mr Morgan would not discuss the price being negotiated. About a year ago a Defence Ministry source said $85 million for the Skyhawks would be a good price.

He said the common thread coming from all potential buyers was the high level of skill and commitment from the Air Force technicians who had maintained the fleets.

- NZPA

Herald feature: Defence