New Zealand has issued an open bidding tender to sell 17 surplus Aermacchi MB-339CB trainer aircraft, following the disbanding of the country’s air combat force in 2001.

According to the tender, issued by the country’s defence ministry, the aircraft will be sold either as a complete package or in portions.

The package consists of airframes, simulator spare engines and support equipment as well as weapons with necessary clearances.

The Aermacchi MB-339CB trainer aircraft fleet is currently being maintained under an ‘on condition’ maintenance regime at the air force’s Ohakea Air Base, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

The country has recently tried to sell eight Douglas A/TA-4K Skyhawk ground-attack and training aircraft, according to Flightglobal.