New Zealand retained helicopters, transports, and maritime-patrol aircraft that support naval and regional tasks while giving up fast jets. This was a strategic allocation, not proof that the defence force was unserious. Australia is the only nearby state with conventional strike reach and is not an adversary, while the wider Pacific security order has been underwritten by the United States. A more contested region could change that calculation, but the earlier choice matched New Zealand's geography and limited funding.
Notable Point · 2:10:24-2:11:53
Why New Zealand accepted a fighter-free air force
For decades, distance, friendly Australia, and American predominance in the Pacific made maritime support aircraft a more rational priority than a small fighter arm.