Minister of Defence Blanks Airbus, Embraer And Lockheed Martin

A written answer provided to New Zealand First indicates that the Minister of Defence is not doing his job by backing Boeing’s C17 instead of reviewing air transport options in the promised 2015 Defence White Paper.

“Maybe it is third-term arrogance, a lack of portfolio interest or someone completely out of their depth, but this Minister of Defence is playing fast and loose with procurement due diligence,” says Ron Mark, New Zealand First Defence spokesperson.

“We know Mr Brownlee has instructed officials to check costings and availability of Boeing’s C17 but when we asked him whether he’d done the same with other aircraft manufacturers, all we got back was a Ministerial brush off. You can see that listed below.

“Mr Brownlee’s brusque response is a long way from his enthusiasm for the C17 but where is the Defence White Paper review of transport options promised back in 2010?

“It seems for the cost of two C17’s, for example, we could acquire up to six Lockheed Martin C130J’s. I understand Airbus’ A400M would be about two-thirds the cost of a C17 but like the C130J, is cheaper to fly on a per hour basis than a C17.

“Embraer’s KC390 is the new kid on the block but won’t be by the time we come to replace our venerable C130H Hercules. All we want is for the Minister to play defence procurement with a straight bat, initiate the Defence White Paper review and stop favouring Boeing.

“Otherwise it risks becoming bumbling Brownlee’s Boeing bridge too far,” Mr Mark said.

ENDS

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