6. Defence Force—Aircrew Training CapabilityDARROCH BALL (NZ First) to the Minister of DefenceDefence Force—Aircrew Training Capability6. DARROCH BALL (NZ First) to the Minister of Defence: What progress if any has been made regarding aircrew training capability for the Royal New Zealand Air Force?Hon RON MARK (Minister of Defence): Thank you Mr Speaker—great question. Today I announced that the first of four leased Beechcraft King Air 350 (KA350) aircraft has been certified for use by the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) marking a step-change in the future of aircrew training. The new aircraft will replace the Beechcraft King Air 200 fleet which provides RNZAF multi-engine pilot training and light airlift drop operation such as transport and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The new fleet will also enable specialist crew training such as navigation flight training mission management and communications to be brought back to New Zealand after more than two decades of being based in Australia. In an additional boost to air force capability two of the aircraft will be configured to assist in the important maritime surveillance task across our exclusive economic zone. A contract worth over $10 million per year for 10 years will be delivered with no increase in operating costs for the Defence Force. The remaining three aircraft will be delivered progressively over the next year.Darroch Ball: What is the benefit to the air force of having the KA350 capability in New Zealand?Hon RON MARK: Great question.Hon Mark Mitchell: You can get to the Wairarapa quicker.Hon RON MARK: We'll get to that. We'll get to that shortly I'm sure. Aircrew training of New Zealand defence personnel has taken place in Australia since 1993 where the students were based for one year at a time. This brings that training home by having the KA350 capability in New Zealand. New Zealand Defence Force personnel required to undergo aircrew training will no longer need to travel offshore for long periods. This reduces the inefficiencies related to remote training both in relation to timing and cost. Additionally it will mean that the extensive bridging training will no longer be required and it will provide flexibility by having crew ready and accessible for other tasks here at home in New Zealand.Darroch Ball: How does the lease of four KA350s affect local industry and jobs in New Zealand?Hon RON MARK: More good news. The prime contractor for the KA350s is Hawker Pacific New Zealand Ltd. With 18 full-time employees working at Ōhākea Hawker Pacific employ local and New Zealand – wide businesses to provide services and equipment—Hon Gerry Brownlee: How're we going with the P-8s?Hon RON MARK: —including flight interiors—put the question—national aircraft interiors trade tools Wormald and NZ Safety. Mr Mitchell might remember that the lease also supports Marops an award-winning and rapidly growing Auckland-based software company which is working alongside of Hawker Pacific to integrate the training mission systems with the aircraft and the sensor suite.Hon Gerry Brownlee: P-8s are dead.Hon RON MARK: Ask the question.Darroch Ball: How successful have recent pilot training capabilities projects been overall?Hon RON MARK: Another great question. The arrival of the KA350s completes the full revitalisation of pilot and aircrew training activities for the New Zealand Air Force bringing them—Hon Gerry Brownlee: Plenty of pilots no planes.Hon RON MARK: —right up to date to the highest performance in safety standards Mr Brownlee. Basic training is now undertaken on the 11 new Beechcraft T-6C Texan aircraft supported by simulators and other advanced ground-based training systems which have also thankfully and spectacularly allowed the regeneration of our air force aerobatic team the Black Falcons. Fantastic news isn't it? [Interruption] SPEAKER: Well does the member want a question?Hon RON MARK: Yeah he does.SPEAKER: Well I'm very tempted to ask him if they can land at Masterton or if they can go to Carterton.Hon RON MARK: Mr Speaker probably yes. We'll soon find out. Pop over we'll give you flight. But one thing I can tell you Mr Speaker they will not be able to take Mark Mitchell from his home 20 minutes down the road from Whenuapai—SPEAKER: OK. That's enough. [Interruption] Order! All right that's enough. Thank you.