The US Department of State has approved potential Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to New Zealand totalling an estimated $1.57bn, covering a range of military equipment including MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters and MK 54 Torpedoes, along with extensive associated systems, munitions, and support services.
The proposed transactions include two principal packages. The first, valued at $1.5bn, would provide New Zealand with five MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters.
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The request covers a wide array of related equipment and support items, such as seven Link 16 Multifunctional Information Distribution Systems Joint Tactical Radio Systems, 14 embedded GPS/inertial navigation systems equipped with Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Modules, five Airborne Low Frequency Sonar systems, and 225 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System missiles.
New Zealand also seeks to procure 225 APKWS II guidance sections, 65 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles, four M36E8 Hellfire Captive Air Training Missiles, five digital magnetic anomaly detection systems, and five M240D 7.62mm machine guns.
In addition, the agreement covers non-major defence equipment items including T700-GE-401D engines, cartridge actuated devices, fire extinguisher cartridges, GAU-21 crew-served guns with accessories, guided missile and digital rocket launchers, AN/ARC-210 radios with communications security, missile warning systems, identification friend or foe transponders, and electronic countermeasures among others.
Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems has been named the principal contractor for this FMS.
This FMS announcement comes after New Zealand selected MH-60R Seahawk helicopters and Airbus A321XLR aircraft in August last year to replace the current SH-2G(I) Seasprite maritime helicopters.
The second package approved by the State Department concerns MK 54 MOD 0 Lightweight Torpedoes and related equipment.
Valued at $69m, the agreement would see New Zealand receive 20 torpedoes, storage and issue facilities, recoverable exercise torpedoes, air launch accessories, classified and unclassified spare parts, torpedo containers, test tools, technical support services, publications, and in-country torpedo training, in addition to further logistical and programme support.
The State Department stated that the proposed sales aim to enhance US foreign policy and national security by strengthening the security of a key ally considered a contributor to political stability and economic development in the Asia-Pacific region.
It will also enhance New Zealand’s ability to address current and future warfare threats and to secure critical infrastructure.
The Department noted: “New Zealand will use the enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defence. New Zealand will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.”
Both proposed sales are described as not expected to alter the basic military balance in the region.
The Department of State said: “There will be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale.”
The sale proposals include broad elements of personnel training, technical documentation, test and support equipment, studies and surveys, and a variety of logistical, technical, and engineering services provided by both the US Government and contractors.
