Multimillion dollar makeover for Ohakea airbase in NZ
The New Zealand government announced on 21 May that it had approved an NZ$206 million ($126 million) upgrade for the Ohakea air base near Palmerston North, one of two main airbases in the country.
The first phase of work on Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Base Ohakea will commence later this year.
The scope of work under this part of the Defence Estate Regeneration Programme covers three phases and will last for five years. The government will approve each stage separately.
Defence Minister Ron Mark commented: ‘This spending is required to rectify longstanding problems with Base Ohakea’s supporting infrastructure
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line]()
Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line
As the launch customer for the NATO-configured variant, Portugal also took delivery of the first five A-29N aircraft from its order for 12, placed in 2024.
-
![Leonardo signs contract on Austria’s M-346 aircraft order]()
Leonardo signs contract on Austria’s M-346 aircraft order
The first of the 12 M-346 aircraft are expected to be delivered to the Austrian Air Force by 2028, according to the company.
-
![2025 UAV market review: $7.8 billion in new contracts signed as US leads spending]()
2025 UAV market review: $7.8 billion in new contracts signed as US leads spending
Qatar and Indonesia followed the US’s high spending on new uncrewed aerial vehicle contracts across 2025, while MALE and micro drones and loitering munitions were particularly popular subcategories this year.
-
![German Navy in “ramp-up” phase as it welcomes first NH90 Sea Tiger delivery]()
German Navy in “ramp-up” phase as it welcomes first NH90 Sea Tiger delivery
With all 31 aircraft set to be delivered by 2030, the helicopters will gradually replace the ageing Sea Lynx fleet which are due to be retired in 2026.
