Former Defence Minister Wayne Mapp has urged the government to address this pressing concern following a series of breakdowns involving the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) fleet.
Recently, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon experienced firsthand the unreliability of the current aircraft. While en route to Japan, his NZDF plane broke down in Papua New Guinea, forcing him to continue his journey on a commercial flight, leaving most of his delegation behind. Luxon had initially planned a brief 90-minute stopover in Port Moresby for refueling.
Current Defence Force Minister Judith Collins commented on the situation during an interview on Morning Report, revealing that the backup Defence Force plane is undergoing long-term maintenance and will not be available until the end of next month. Collins acknowledged that replacing the fleet would cost hundreds of millions of dollars, a significant consideration given the current economic climate.
However, Wayne Mapp, who served as Defence Minister from 2008 to 2011 under John Key’s government, believes the time has come for decisive action. Mapp pointed out that nations with similar sizes to New Zealand, such as Singapore and the Netherlands, utilize more modern and multi-role aircraft.
“These planes are over 30 years old, and that really is the problem. Airlines don’t run planes of this nature for 30 years, and neither should the air force,” Mapp stated. He emphasized that the government could use the two-year lead-in time for aircraft delivery to plan the financial logistics, despite the present economic challenges.
Mapp also highlighted New Zealand’s historical context, noting that economic difficulties have always been present. “We first bought jet aircraft for a transport role back in 1981 – well, I remember 1981 was a tough year, in fact,” he said.
He argued that the current planes could not be relied upon and stressed the necessity of accelerating the purchase of replacements. Mapp’s call for action follows several incidents this year, including another instance where Prime Minister Luxon had to resort to a commercial flight due to a Defence Force plane breaking down in Wellington.
As New Zealand grapples with economic uncertainties, Mapp’s assertion underscores a critical need for the government to prioritize the reliability and modernization of its Defence Force aircraft, ensuring that key officials can travel securely and efficiently