The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is set to upgrade its fleet with the procurement of MH-60R Seahawk helicopters and Airbus A321XLR (extra long range) aircraft.
These acquisitions, worth NZ$2.7bn ($1.5bn), represent the initial significant investment choices under the Government’s Defence Capability Plan (DCP).
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The Seahawks are the “preferred option” to replace the current SH-2G(I) Seasprite maritime helicopters, while Airbus A321XLR aircraft will take over from the ageing Boeing 757-2K2 fleet used by No. 40 Squadron since 2008.
The investment decisions were announced by Defence Minister Judith Collins KC and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters.
“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,” Collins said.
The MH-60R, produced by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, has been in service with the US since 2006 and was introduced to the Royal Australian Navy in 2014.
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By GlobalDataThe Royal New Zealand Air Force’s No 6 Squadron, marking its 20th anniversary this year, has operated the SH-2G(I) Seasprite Helicopter for a decade and its predecessor, the SH-2G(NZ), since its reformation in 2005.
“These five Seahawks will increase the offensive and defensive capability and surveillance range of Royal New Zealand Navy’s frigates and ensure we are interoperable with our ally Australia and other partner defence forces.
“We will now move at pace to get the process under way to procure helicopters directly through the United States’ Foreign Military Sales programme instead of going to a wider tender, with Cabinet expected to consider the final business case next year,” Collins added.
The two Airbus A321XLR aircraft will be obtained through a six-year lease-to-buy arrangement at a capital cost of NZ$620m and four-year operating costs of NZ$80.86m.
This investment of over NZ$2bn for maritime helicopters and NZ$700m for new Airbus A321XLRs, forms part of the NZ$12bn planned commitments outlined in the 2025 Defence Capability Plan.
Announced in April 2025, the 2025 Defence Capability Plan represents the government’s blueprint for revitalising the NZDF in response to a world that is becoming increasingly unpredictable.
