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
-
Norway revitalises effort to acquire a tactical-class UAV with $103 million competition
Norway first scoped the requirement in 2022, and included it in a defence strategy document in 2023. The announcement of a new framework agreement appears to have breathed fresh life into the effort.
-
March Drone Digest: Long-range, low-cost loitering munitions are changing warfare economics
The effective use of the Shahed-136 in the Iran War has highlighted the need for countries to acquire a domestically produced, low-cost, long-range loitering munition, with the US, Turkey and European nations all at various stages of developing a similar capability.
-
Franco-German alliance aims to resolve FCAS woes by end of April as dispute rolls on
The disagreement between French-German industry continues as both governments work to keep the programme alive and on track to develop and deliver a sixth-generation fighter jet.
-
US Air Force is eyeing cost-effective automated counter-drone solutions
The USAF is seeking on-the-move systems, subsystems or technologies capable of defending airbases and fixed and semi-fixed sites against small drone attacks.
-
Long-range drone acquisition axed as Norway announces $11.75 billion spending uplift
Norway’s funding boost will help the country reach 3.5% of GDP on defence spending by 2035, with autonomous systems part of the long list of priorities alongside frigate acquisition and development of a new Finnmark Brigade.
-
Dormant helicopter programmes in Africa and Asia present opportunities
Growing capability gaps caused by ageing Soviet-era platforms in Africa and Asia are creating opportunities, as disrupted supply chains and sanctions open the door for Western manufacturers to expand into these markets.