Minister of Defence Peeni Henare today marked the arrival of the first of New Zealand’s P-8A Poseidon aircraft at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base at Ohakea.
This is the first of four new P-8A Poseidon aircraft purchased by the Government.
“Since coming into office we’ve focused on ensuring our Defence force personnel have the support, tools and capability to serve on behalf of all New Zealanders, and play our part in providing security and stability to our region,” Peeni Henare said.
“We have invested a record $2.53 billion to upgrade our Defence capability in Budget 2018 and that included $2.3 billion purchase to replace the aging P-3K2 Orion which have been in service with the RNZAF since the 1960s.
“The P-8s will replace the Orions, conducting maritime surveillance, resource protection, natural disaster support and search and rescue operations as we work alongside our Pacific partners to support the security and stability of the region.
“Indeed, one of the primary security concerns of the Pacific is that of climate change which is also one of my top priorities as Defence Minister.
“With the ability to travel faster and with greater reliability than the existing aircraft the P-8A will be a key capability to support national and international disaster responses as a result of climate change.
“To help move into a new era of maritime surveillance and in order to ensure we focus our efforts on the training and maintenance required of the new aircrafts we are reprioritising our workforce to allow for the safe transition to the four P-8A Poseidons.
“An important part of this launch is seeing the mahi so far on a purpose built facility to house the new aircrafts. Built right here at Base Ohakea it measures 180m long, 26m high and 80m wide with an average of 250 workers onsite each day,” Peeni Henare said.
The official welcome ceremony for the first P-8A was attended by 450 guests including Ambassadors, local community members, and Defence personnel.
“New Zealand’s first P-8A aircraft marks a major milestone in the decisions taken since 2018 to replace those Defence Force capabilities that have served the country’s interests, and those of our friends and neighbours, for more than three generations,” Peeni Henare.
“To the current, and future generations of Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel who will operate the P-8A, thank you for your commitment to continuing this record of service,” Peeni Henare said.
The remaining aircraft are scheduled to arrive by mid-2023.
Image credit: Darren Koch, GFDL 1.2
“AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND’S P-8A POSEIDON AIRCRAFT” The name of this country is New Zealand, nothing more, nothing less.
“Indeed, one of the primary security concerns of the Pacific is that of climate change which is also one of my top priorities as Defence Minister.”
When are the bloody braindead politicians going to wake up and realise that climate change is nothng more than a scam to separate the taxpayers from his hard earned money. How many planes does it take to wind back climate change?
What a complete and utter crock.
Save the earth…
With GUNS!!!
Shhh, you will give them grand ideas by mentioning guns. 😂😂
😂😂 “ to support the security and stability of the region!” You are shit*ing me! With 4 planes🤣🤣 well then, we can be assured to hold off an attack on our country should it happen. I know I shall sleep easy knowing I’m protected by a whole 4 planes! Why don’t you all get on them and f*** off to pastures new we will have a better chance with a homemade bow and arrow.
You are forgetting the new helicopters… 😂
😱 😂 There’s helicopters?
Imagine Xi jinping rounding the corner in the pacific towards nz. With 200 battleships in tow and 100 j20 fighter jets. Imagine his shock and fear as he hears the rumble of 4 p8a Poseidon aircrafts revving up their engines on the tarmac at Ohakea. Imagine as he inches closer unable to believe what he will be facing, and his relief to find that Ardern has taken one of them to visit wef. He has a chance now… there is only 3 left. He calls in 70 of his 77 submarines, and issues an order for another 300 battleships and another 200 j20 jets. He bites his nails.. can he do it. Never before has he been intimidated by this much power it will be touch and go. Confident that nz has invested in cheap junk, he makes his move… will nz survive? Can the p8a aircrafts hold their own? He looks for the made in China stickers.. but finds none. He knows that the aircrafts are made in the USA. It sends a shiver down his spine. He will remember this betrayal, and sanction what’s left of nz when he gets home. The sun starts to set , the p8a aircrafts take to the skies, the fight has begun.
Excellent.. 💯 😁
China has produced its own big aircrafts which costs a fifth. NZ, the vassal state, has to transfer its dues to US. NZD will be very low when we import hugely from US such as this deal but our dollar will be pushed high if American insurance companies have to pay for the earthquake damage. This game keeps for balance of trade negative by billions of dollars. It becomes then easier to control the sheeples you know.