Vampires to Skyhawks: Military Aircraft and Frigate Purchases by New Zealand, 1950–70

Abstract

New Zealand’s relations with its main weapons suppliers, Britain and the United States of America, are analysed in this article. Until the 1960s, New Zealand’s armed services relied almost exclusively on British hardware. The Royal New Zealand Air Force and the army were converted to American equipment in the 1960s and early 1970s, but the Royal New Zealand Navy continued to purchase frigates from British yards. This article examines the interplay of financial, political, and operational considerations affecting major procurement decisions, like the acquisition of Skyhawk aircraft in the 1960s. Although the focus is policy, consideration is also given to relations between the New Zealand government and private defence contractors. New Zealand’s revealed objective was to maintain, at minimum possible cost, a force capable of taking part in joint operations with its principal allies.