{"id":31082,"date":"2025-08-22T09:00:08","date_gmt":"2025-08-22T06:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=31082"},"modified":"2025-08-22T10:17:19","modified_gmt":"2025-08-22T07:17:19","slug":"new-zealand-to-acquire-seahawk-helicopters-and-airbus-aircraft-in-1-6-billion-defense-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/new-zealand-to-acquire-seahawk-helicopters-and-airbus-aircraft-in-1-6-billion-defense-deal\/","title":{"rendered":"New Zealand to acquire Seahawk helicopters and Airbus aircraft in $1.6 billion defense deal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

5 minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Zealand has unveiled a major defense procurement, choosing the U.S.-made Lockheed Martin MH-60R Seahawk as its next naval helicopter and the Airbus A321XLR as its new transport aircraft, in a move the Defense Force says represents one of the most significant upgrades to the country\u2019s fleet in decades.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Announcing the deal on August 21, 2025, New Zealand\u2019s Defense Minister Judith Collins said the purchase of five helicopters and two aircraft would ensure that New Zealand maintained a \u201ccritical combat capable, interoperable and dependable fleet.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cost of the acquisitions is projected at $2.7 billion New Zealand dollars ($1.6 billion), according to the New Zealand Defense Force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Strengthening New Zealand\u2019s naval aviation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The MH-60R Seahawk is the United States Navy\u2019s primary shipboard anti-submarine and surface warfare helicopter and is already in service with several allies, including neighboring Australia. New Zealand will procure the helicopters through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collins emphasized that the helicopters would significantly expand the Royal New Zealand Navy\u2019s capabilities. \u201cThese five Seahawks will increase the offensive and defensive capability and surveillance range of the Royal New Zealand Navy\u2019s frigates and ensure we are interoperable with our ally Australia and other partner defense forces,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new Seahawks will replace the fleet of eight Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite helicopters, which New Zealand acquired second-hand from Australia in 2013. Unlike the Seasprites, the MH-60Rs are regarded as more versatile, combat-proven, and fully interoperable with U.S. and Australian forces.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"A<\/a>
A Royal Australian Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter from 816 Squadron conducts an anti-submarine warfare training serial off the coast of Jervis Bay, New South Wales. (Image Credit: Royal Australian Navy)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Collins also confirmed that New Zeland \u201cwill now move at pace to get the process under way to procure helicopters directly through the United States\u2019 Foreign Military Sales programme instead of going to a wider tender,\u201d with the final business case expected to be considered by the New Zealand Cabinet in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


MH-60R Seahawk<\/strong> key specification<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n