Base Ōhakea's Te Whare Toroa opens, enhancing NZDF's Poseidon P8-A capabilities
The facility was opened at a ceremony on August 14 attended by Defence Minister Judith Collins, Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal
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RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
Long awaited refresh of Defence Force aircrafts arrives
defence force politics 5:17 pm today The long-awaited refresh of the Defence Force's ageing aircraft has arrived. The government is buying five new 'Seahawk' maritime helicopters to replace its eight 'Seasprites'. It will also buy two new airbuses to replace the 32-year-old 757s that have broken down around the world in recent years, sometimes stranding the Prime Minister.
Scoop
2 hours ago
- Scoop
Defence Helicopter, Plane Decisions Announced
Hon Judith Collins KC Minister of Defence Hon Winston Peters Minister of Foreign Affairs Seahawk helicopters and Airbus planes are set to replace aging New Zealand Defence Force aircraft in the first major investment decisions to be made as part of the Government's Defence Capability Plan (DCP). Defence Minister Judith Collins and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters today announced investment decisions of $2.7 billion, with the MH-60R Seahawk the preferred option to replace the existing maritime helicopters. The Airbus A321XLR (extra long range) aircraft will replace the aging 757 fleet. 'This decision will ensure New Zealand has a critical combat capable, interoperable and dependable fleet,' Ms Collins says. '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.' Mr Peters says these decisions show how the Government is responding to the sharply deteriorating security environment. '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 defence spending, and two-yearly reviews of the plan will allow us to adapt to an ever-changing security environment.' The $2 billion plus investment in maritime helicopters and $700 million investment in the new Airbus A321XLRs are both part of the $12 billion in planned commitments outlined in the 2025 DCP announced in April. Ms Collins says the maritime helicopters are versatile and add combat and deterrent capability to our naval fleet. 'These five Seahawks will increase the offensive and defensive capability and surveillance range of New Zealand's frigates and ensure we are interoperable with our ally Australia and other partner defence forces,' she says. 'We will now move at pace 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. 'The two new Airbus A321XLR aircraft will be acquired on a six-year lease to buy arrangement, with capital costs of $620 million and four-year operating costs of $80.86 million. 'New Zealand needs reliable aircraft to deploy our personnel, deliver military equipment and humanitarian aid, support the evacuation of civilians, and transport government trade and diplomatic delegations quickly, over long distances, and often at short notice. '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. 'Our Defence Force personnel have proven time and time again they do an outstanding job and we must ensure they have the tools that are up to the task.' Notes: MH-60R Seahawk technical specifications Manufacturer: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (a Lockheed Martin company) Length: 19.76m Max Speed: 333km/h (180kts) Range: 963 km (520 nautical miles) Cargo: In utility mode it can carry 1500+ kg Crew: Three Weapon systems: Mk 54 anti-submarine torpedo, AGM-114 Hellfire air-surface missiles, crew-served machine guns; Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) Airbus A321XLR technical specifications Engines: Pratt & Whitney Wingspan: 35.80 metres Length: 44.51 metres Height: 11.76 metres Max cruise speed: Mach 0.78 Range: 8,700km (4,700 nautical miles) Layout: standard commercial layout to accommodate 122 passengers. Cargo (in cargo holds): Capacity 9,100kg or 42m3 Standard crew: Seven but can be as few as three or as many as 15 depending on mission type.
1News
4 hours ago
- 1News
New planes, helicopters for Defence Force
The Government has confirmed plans to purchase five MH-60R Seahawk helicopters and two Airbus A321XLR aircraft, locking in previously signalled upgrades to the Defence Force's air fleet. The $2.7 billion investment, part of the Defence Capability Plan announced in April, included more than $2 billion for the maritime helicopters and $700 million for the planes, which will replace the ageing Seasprites and Boeing 757s. Defence Minister Judith Collins and Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced the acquisitions at a media conference at the Beehive this afternoon, describing them as essential steps to ensure New Zealand's defence assets were "critical combat capable, interoperable and dependable". Watch the live stream of the media conference at the Beehive here. The MH-60R Seahawk, already in use by the US and Australian navies, was nearly 20m long and has a top speed of 333km/h. ADVERTISEMENT The helicopters were capable of carrying anti-submarine torpedoes, air-surface missiles and crew-served machine guns. (Source: Australian Defence Force) Collins said the helicopters — capable of carrying anti-submarine torpedoes, Hellfire air-surface missiles and crew-served machine guns — were versatile and added combat and deterrent capability to the naval fleet. "These five Seahawks will increase the offensive and defensive capability and surveillance range of New Zealand's frigates and ensure we are interoperable with our ally Australia and other partner defence forces." Procurement of the choppers would proceed "at pace" through the US Foreign Military Sales programme, bypassing a wider tender process, she said. Cabinet was expected to consider the final business case next year. The Airbus A321XLRs have a wingspan of 35.8m. (Source: Airbus) Meanwhile, the Airbus A321XLRs would replace the NZDF's ageing Boeing 757s. ADVERTISEMENT The aircraft, with a range of up to 8700km, would be acquired under a six-year lease-to-buy arrangement with capital costs of $620 million and operating costs of $80.86 million. "New Zealand needs reliable aircraft to deploy our personnel, deliver military equipment and humanitarian aid, support the evacuation of civilians, and transport government trade and diplomatic delegations quickly, over long distances, and often at short notice, Collins said. "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." Peters said the decisions showed the Government was responding to a "sharply deteriorating security environment". "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 defence spending, and two-yearly reviews of the plan will allow us to adapt to an ever-changing security environment." Technical specifications The MH-60R Seahawk, manufactured by Sikorsky (a Lockheed Martin company), is a multi-role maritime helicopter designed for anti-submarine and surface warfare. Measuring 19.76 metres in length, it can reach speeds of up to 333km/h and has a range of 963 kilometres. Operated by a crew of three, the Seahawk can carry over 1,500 kilograms in utility mode and is equipped with a suite of weaponry including Mk 54 anti-submarine torpedoes, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, crew-served machine guns, and the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS). The Airbus A321XLR is a long-range commercial aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney engines. It has a wingspan of 35.8 metres, a length of 44.51 metres, and stands 11.76 metres tall. With a maximum cruise speed of Mach 0.78 and a range of up to 8,700 kilometres, it is configured to carry 122 passengers in a standard layout. The aircraft can transport up to 9,100 kilograms of cargo or 42 cubic metres in its holds, and depending on the mission, it can operate with a crew ranging from three to 15.
