Proposal to Base Singapore F15 Fighter Jets at Ōhakea Rejected

22 Desember 2018

F-15SG aircraft (photo : Jaryd Stock)

A proposal to base Singapore jets at Ōhakea has been rejected because of infrastructure problems at the airbase. 

Minister of Defence Ron Mark said both sides concluded the proposal could not proceed, as without significant spending Ōhakea could not host the F15 squadron.

Mark said the concept had received strong support from local and central government and he was disappointed at the outcome.

"I took a hard look at official advice on multiple aspects of the proposal throughout the year."

Mark said locating the jets there on a long-term basis would have put significant strain on the capacity of the airfield and the airspace above it.

"Singapore also concluded that cost parameters were a factor."

In February last year, the New Zealand Defence Force confirmed officials were in talks to set up a pilots' training base at Ōhakea.

F16 fighter jets came to Ōhakea in September 2017 and officials were optimistic at that stage about the potential for further progress. But providing an F15 base longer term proved problematic.

Mark suggested New Zealand may yet host fighter aircraft for shorter periods, however.

"I have asked officials to explore options with Singapore for future aircraft detachments to visit ..."

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