Kiwi Wings

摘要

Defense planners soon will present the New Zealand government with options for replacing its Air Force's old Bell UH-1H Iroquois and B47G Sioux helicopters. Project 'Warrior' is expected to cost NZ$400―500 million (US$230―288 million). A request for tender is due early in 2004. The goal is to have the helicopters in service by 2007, in roles ranging from search & rescue, counter-terrorism and logistics support (from the Navy's new multi-role vessel and elsewhere) to troop lift, medevac, special ops, training, and civilian agency support. The Iroquois has served the Royal New Zealand Air Force for more than 35 years. An upgrade was considered, but an evaluation found that wouldn't meet requirements. Dovetailing into Australia's Project AIR 9000, which includes similar troop-lift requirements, would offer potential benefits of common support and training. The Kiwis, however, are still evaluating their exact needs and will consider a range of local factors, not the least of which will be acquisition and life-cycle costs.