Thursday 27 Jun 2002

The ACT Party will reconstitute an airforce strike capability, ACT leader Richard Prebble said today, in response to a call from the Save our Squadrons Campaign.

"Thanks to the snap election, it is still possible to bring back a strike capability quickly and at a relatively low cost," Mr Prebble said.

"The Skyhawks have not been sold and the Aermacchi trainers are also still available.

"Contrary to media reports, the Skyhawks are not obsolete, having recently been upgraded. ACT's information is that the planes could be fully recommissioned for as little as $30 million.

"ACT would then look at a future replacement for the aircraft by re-activating New Zealand's ANZUS membership.

"As a member of ANZUS, New Zealand would be able to purchase, on favourable terms, a new generation of fighter planes. This would give us air fighter capability for another 20 years," Mr Prebble said.

ENDS

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