Strikemaster replacement tender draws 10 bids

Press, 24 September 1988, Page 8

Strikemaster replacement tender draws 10 bids

By

DAVE WILSON

The project to replace the R.N.Z.A.F.’s fatigued Strikemaster jet trainers has attracted 10 bids from aircraft manufacturers in eight countries. Tenders for up to 18 replacement aircraft closed this week. Contenders for the replacement, estimated to be worth between $5O million and $175 million are: Argentina, F.M.A. Pampa; Brazil, Embraer 312; Switzerland, Pygtus

PC7; Australia, Hawker De Havilland PC9; Britain, Shorts Tucano and BAe Hawk; Italy, Agusta S2ll and Aermacchi 339; Spain, CASA 101 and Germany, Dornier Alpha. The aircraft being offered to the R.N.Z.A.F. comprise a mix of pure jet and turboprop aircraft intended to take trainee pilots from. Airtrainers through advanced training. The R.N.Z.A.F. is expected to recommend its choice to the Government

by December. Flying Officer Peter Northcote, the Air Force’s public relations officer, said if the project proceeded, contracts would be completed in the 1989 or 1990 financial year. The Strikemaster replacement is not yet guaranteed because of the New Zealand/Australia study into possible shared flying training. Flying Officer Northcote said the Anzac evaluation team investigating that idfea had to report by

October 31. “That date was selected in order that the Strikemaster replacement would not be far down the track by that stage.” The R.N.Z.A.F. has been flying Strikemaster advanced trainers since 1972 but fatigue problems with the aircraft means they will be phased out from 1990. If the Strikemaster replacement proceeds, the first new jets will be needed in New Zealand in 1990. Hd