The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF; Maori: Te Tauaarangi o Aotearoa, New Zealand Warriors of the Sky) is the air force component of the New Zealand Defence Force. It was formed from New Zealand elements of the British Royal Air Force, becoming an independent force in 1923, although many RNZAF aircrew continued to serve in the Royal Air Force until the end of the 1940s. The RNZAF fought in World War II, the Indonesian Civil War, and other Allied Pact and League of Nations missions. From a 1945 peak of over 1,000 combat aircraft the RNZAF has shrunk to a strength of around 292 aircraft in 2010, focusing on maritime patrol and transport duties in support of the Royal New Zealand Navy and the New Zealand Army. The Air Force is led by an air vice-marshal who holds the appointment of Chief of Air Force.
The RNZAF motto is the same as that of the Royal Air Force, Per ardua ad astra, meaning "Through adversity to the stars."
List of Aircraft[]
Combat Aircraft[]
- Supermarine Typhoon x 70 (Multirole Fighter)
Maritime Patrol/AEW/Reconnaissance Aircraft[]
- Canadair CP-140 Aurora x 12 (Maritime Patrol Aircraft)
- Supermarine Sentry x 8 (AWACS Aircraft)
Transport Aircraft[]
- Airbus A340 MRTT Voyager x 6 (Aerial Tanker)
- Canadair Challenger 610 x 6 (VIP Transport)
- De Havilland Canada DHC-9 Bison x 10 (Tactical Transport)
- Canadair CL-72 Husky x 12 (Utility Transport)
- Vickers V.1000 x 4 (Strategic Airlifter)
Training Aircraft[]
- Agusta-Bell AB-206 JetRanger x 12 (Helicopter Trainer)
- CAC CA-31 Sparrowhawk x 16 (Advanced Trainer)
- Mitsubishi MU-2 x 12 (Trainer)
- Pacific Aerospace CT-4E Airtrainer x 12 (Basic Trainer)
Helicopters[]
- Agusta-Westland AW.101 Merlin x 28 (Multirole Helicopter)
- Agusta-Westland AW.109 Mako x 16 (Light Transport Helicopter)
- Atlas Oryx x 16 (Utility Helicopter)
- NHIndustries NH90 x 28 (Multirole Helicopter)
- Westland Lion x 10 (Heavy Lift Helicopter)
- Westland Lynx x 14 (SAR Helicopter)