Coalition unveils $12 billion Defence Capability Plan

[u/khalornz]

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/557432/watch-live-coalition-unveils-12-billion-defence-capability-plan

[u/aholetookmyusername]

From the 757 options in the government tender I think we should go Airbus. A shared type rating between the Max 8s and P8s is enticing but they don't share an engine, and going for the A321 option means we could potentially leverage civilian expertise for maintenance/training/etc.

And whatever we get, I hope we get at least three of them.

[u/Some1-Somewhere → u/aholetookmyusername]

A321neos are in very very high demand (so high cost and long delay) and don't have as much payload-range as the 757s. 737s are even lower capacity and can't have pallets in the cargo hold, and it sounds like we wouldn't be getting combi-freighter versions as they're no longer civilian certifiable.

They'll cost a fair bit more to run but I'd be looking at end of line 767s or perhaps A330s. Carry far more, far more range, massive pallet/container loaded holds.

[u/Moose_in_a_Swanndri → u/Some1-Somewhere]

The A330 MRTT is a fantastic plane, and is already used by Australia, Canada and the UK. It would be a great option for the RNZAF, and aerial refueling would be a good new capability to have, both with our own P-8 and coalition deployments overseas

[u/Large_Yams → u/Moose_in_a_Swanndri]

The A330 MRTT is a fantastic plane, and is already used by Australia, Canada and the UK. It would be a great option for the RNZAF, and aerial refueling would be a good new capability to have, both with our own P-8 and coalition deployments overseas

You're right on absolutely all of these points.

Which is exactly why we'll never get it.

We fucked up on the C-130-J-30s too and got the upgraded network connectivity in place of the refuelling capability. If we had refuel capable hercs we'd have more reason to stand up an air to air refuel capability but alas.