Replacing Aging Aircraft In Country’s Defense Force

The Government of New Zealand announced plans to modernize parts of its aviation defensive capabilities with the purchase of five Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopters and two Airbus A321XLR aircraft. The purchases are worth a total of NZ$2.7 billion / US$1.6 billion.

Judith Collins, Defense Minister, and Winston Peters, Foreign Affairs Minister, revealed the plan on August 21. The expenditures are part of the government’s NZ$12 billion / US$7.9 billion Defense Capability Plan announced in April.

Minister Collins said, “The MH-60R Seahawk is a great aircraft for what New Zealand needs and fulfils our objective of having a more integrated Anzac force, and the new planes will give us reliable aircraft to deploy personnel and respond to international events.”

She also said the Seahawks will bolster the country’s frigates by improving both offensive and defensive capabilities as well as ensuring interoperability with allies such as Australia.

The helicopters, costing NZ$2 billion / US$1.2 billion, will be procured “at pace” via the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program. New Zealand’s Cabinet is expected to review the business cases in 2026.

The two Airbus A321XLR aircraft will be secured through a six-year lease-to-buy arrangement that will cost NZ$620 million / UZ$384 million in capital, and NZ$80.9 million / US$50 million in operating expenses over four years.

Collins explained, “The decision to acquire the extra-long-range aircraft reflects the importance of having an aircraft capable of such things as returning safely from Antarctica if it is unable to land due to conditions on the ice.”

Minister Peters said the decision to purchase the aircraft is in response to a worsening security environment. He said, “Global tensions are increasing rapidly, and we must invest in our national security to ensure our economic prosperity. The DCP provides the foundation for our uplift in defense spending, and two-yearly reviews of the plan will allow us to adapt to an ever-changing security environment.”

FMI:  www.govt.nz/