The Air Force’s Boeing 757 aircraft, which flies the prime minister on an overseas trip, has suffered thousands of mechanical failures and six safety accidents in recent years.
Details of mechanical failures and maintenance costs obtained by ACT Party defense spokesman Dr. James McDowall show that more than $ 70 million has been spent on maintaining the two Boeings since October 2017. I am.
According to monthly tally, January and April of this year were the most expensive, spending more than $ 6 million each month. In May, one of the plans broke down in Washington, DC during the Prime Minister’s flight.
“It’s not operating costs, it’s just maintenance and repairs. If you’ve been spending such money on two aircraft since late 2017, the minister may ask for money or find a way to replace these things sooner. I think I did.
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“Obviously, they need to be replaced.”
Nearly 30 years ago, the two Boeings had an “abnormal number” of failures, McDonald said.
Since October 2017, the two 757s have experienced a total of 1561 mechanical failures when the plan was not included in the planned maintenance. A total of 2733 failures were recorded during maintenance.
NZDF / Supply
New Zealand Air Force Boeing 757.
There were also six safety accidents requiring the aircraft to detour or discontinue its mission.
“Recently, these aircraft are flying important people, government officials, and prime ministers around the world. There may even be a real safety issue … the safest way to transport such people. Is it? “McDonald said.
He said the government “stops kicking cans” and needs to replace Boeing.
LUKE MALPASS / Staff
One of the Air Force’s Boeing 757 aircraft, which shipped Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in the United States earlier this year. The aircraft later broke down while in Washington, DC.
He said he aims to increase defense spending to 2% of GDP (gross domestic product) if ACT is in the government. This can be provided under plans to reduce government spending elsewhere.
According to the government, defense spending reached 1.54% in 2020
Defense Minister Peni Hennale told a special committee last week that the government would soon make a “significant decision” on defense spending.
In response to a written Congressional question from McDonald’s, he said the Pentagon was in the early stages of considering an aircraft replacement, the “definition stage.”
“No decision has been made on a replacement aircraft,” Henare said.
Robert Kitchen / Staff
Dr. James McDowall, ACT Party Defense Spokesperson.
Secretary of Defense Kevin Short said in a hearing that there were various issues with the availability of aircraft.
The engine overhaul of the Boeing 757 plan, which used to take 90 days, now takes 300 days, requiring the purchase of two additional engines to ensure that the aircraft is ready for use.
A new aircraft arrives. The Defense Forces will receive new P8 Poseidon and Hercules aircraft purchased by the previous Labor Coalition Government next year.
Fix: The two Air Force Boeing 757s are almost 30 years old, not 20 years old. The aircraft was purchased second hand by the Air Force in 2003. (Updated: Wednesday, June 29, 2022 20:50)