What New Zealand Doesn't Want You To Know 

Thank you!

They will receive their first F-35As in 2028-2030 if they order now. US will in no means sell their next gen fighter straight away, F-35 was only sold because it was a Joint Strike Fighter developed with other nations.

6-8 'small to medium' nuclear submarines... the F35 is 'a good interim fighter'... I see some issues with these suggestions. Firstly: without even considering the national sentiment toward nuclear power in New Zealand or the fact that New Zealand would refuse to even allow the proposed Australian nuclear subs to enter NZ ports, the logistic structure to support an attack submarine force roughly on par with France and the UK simply does not exist in New Zealand. To build one would require and enormous investment of material and human resources that New Zealand arguably does not have, even assuming that the US were willing to build AND gift or lease the necessary boats to NZ. Australia is about to commit to an enormous shift in its strategic and defence structure that will require decades to fully realise, and that is with a current, serving and experienced submarine fleet and a much larger maritime force. In its entire history, the New Zealand Navy has never operated any combat submarines at all. Even acquiring a minimal strategically relevent force of conventionally powered attack submarines would probably require an investment approaching if not exceeding the annual national defence budget, given not simply the purchase of the boats themselves but the necessary infrastructure and logistics to support them - not to mention training an entirely new branch of the force! To consider that New Zealand might rationally opt to develop independent nuclear submarine assets in the next 50 years is, no offence, a pipe dream within a pipe dream. Second: New Zealand simply will not be a prospective customer to guarded American technology that has not even been officially unveiled yet; F22 was not sold to nations with much stronger strategic ties than New Zealand, such as Australia and Japan. FA/XX and NGAD are unlikely to be exported to anybody. This is one of the reasons that some nations are undertaking independent 6th generation development programmes. For New Zealand to go from an air force with no current combat capability to operating the F35 might be a bridge too far, given not merely the logistic and organisational hurdles but also the political ones. It's not necessarily the worst idea in the World, and might actually (arguably) make more sense than a proposal for a lower-cost 4th generation aircraft... but it would likely be not merely a substantial expenditure but a significant change of strategic stance. The F35 would be far too great of an investment - even in small numbers - to be described as an 'interim' option. If New Zealand were to go in that direction, they would likely be operating it for the foreseeable future. And it is unlikely that New Zealand could operate more than a handful of them, which would arguably limit their strategic relevence overall, notwithstanding their considerable tactical advantage. A lower cost, 4th generation aircraft, especially one suited to maritime patrol and interdiction, might just make more sense if it can be argued that the force can provide better coverage; certainly it might make more sense to the relevent political bodies. A New Zealand F35 force would also more than likely require considerable support from not merely Australia but also the US - which will carry its own pitfalls and crosses to bear. For the US to permit the sale of F35 to New Zealand will likely come tied to concessions favorable to American strategic and commercial interests...

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Lol... so, basically New Zealand is Ireland.

@@nolanolivier6791 they’re better than us because they’ve never invaded a foreign country. NZ has invaded two - Samoa and Turkey.

@@bronsonperich9430 I was more commenting on the fact that Ireland's primary air defence is the RAF; also the fact that British forces have always included large numbers of Irishmen, as well as the numbers of expatriate or naturalised Irish folk settled in England... certainly wasn't making a statement on the moral status of either nation.

@@nolanolivier6791 and what made you think I didn’t know that?

Hi, I would like to clarify that the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has detachments in US, Australia, France and Thailand, but none in New Zealand. The RSAF also no longer operates the E-2C Hawkeyes as of 2010 and has switched to G550 for AEW. However, under the defense agreements of both countries, Singapore does deploy units to NZ for joint military training such as Exercise Thunder Warrior or Exercise Kiwi Walk.

@@YGfromSG As of 04 November 2022, the Royal Singapore Air Force "still" operates out of the RNZAF Base Ohakea! And the E-2C also operates there, whereas the G550-EL/W-2085 operates from bases within Singapore, "not" New Zealand...

@@michaelflower6172 By the way, the R in RSAF is Republic, not "Royal". May I know which RSAF squadron operates the E-2C currently, as claimed by you? The 111 Squadron has been operating the G550 AEW since 2010. Also, all RSAF aircraft operating in Ohakea (as per your November 2022 news) are in NZ for short-term training exercises as a long-term deployment is "not feasible" according to New Zealand Defence Minister Ron Mark back in 2017. (:

@@YGfromSG Who's the short term training for, if New Zealand themselves don't operate any F-16D's...

@@michaelflower6172 Really? Now I have to explain what's the purpose of such "short term training" to you? Based on your comment, I'm pretty sure you don't know how the military works. In bilateral or multilateral exercises, there will be a variety of assets, and it really depends on the nature of the exercises. If NZ does not have combat aircraft like the F-16s, they would likely take a supporting role with their MPA or transport aircraft. Singapore also occasionally sends F-15SG to NZ on the short-term basis and NZ doesn't operate any F-15SGs.