Latest news with #Seasprite
NZ Herald
5 hours ago
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Government buying helicopters with Hellfire missiles, ‘precision kill system' as global tensions ramp up
New Zealand currently has Seasprite helicopters, which themselves have anti-ship missiles, torpedoes and machine guns. Collins took a model of the Seahawk helicopter into the House, telling reporters on the way in about a sonar buoy dangling off it 'that goes down into the ocean and detects things'. That could include submarines or 'drug shipments that multinational crime [organisations are] dropping off at various reefs as they do time to time'. She showed off the model as she explained the helicopters' capabilities. 'The five new Seahawks will replace the ageing Seasprite fleet, and when I say ageing, I mean four of these were around in the 1960s. I'm reliably assured that one of the airframes was actually used in the Korean War. 'The new air maritime helicopters are versatile at combat and deterrent capability to our naval fleet. It's the helicopter used by Australia, the United States, and seven other countries. 'These five Seahawks will increase the offensive and defensive capability and surveillance range of New Zealand's frigates, and ensure we're interoperable with our ally Australia, and our partner defence forces.' A Royal Australian Navy MH-60R from 725 Squadron launches a Hellfire missile in Florida, United States. Photo / Australian Defence Force Over recent years, Kiwis have been warned by various government agencies and ministers that the country is no longer in a benign strategic environment and is facing greater regional security challenges. A Ministry of Defence report last year said the 'use, and threat of use, of military power is increasingly shaping states' interactions' and explicitly stated that China's 'assertive pursuit of its strategic objectives is the new major driver for the new era of strategic competition among states'. Though China wasn't mentioned on Thursday, the deteriorating security environment was mentioned by both Collins and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters. 'It's really clear that we live in a very difficult time at the moment, and things that we would never have dreamed of 10 or 15 years ago are happening right now,' Collins said. 'We need to be very aware of the fact that anyone who thinks that we live in a benign strategic environment and wants to relive their glory days is obviously wrong.' Peters said, 'global tensions are increasing rapidly' and 'we must invest in our national security to ensure our economic prosperity'. He said the Government's Defence Capability Plan, of which today's investment announcement is part, allowed New Zealand 'to adapt to an ever-changing security environment'. Defence Minister Judith Collins brought a model helicopter into the House on Thursday. Photo / Adam Pearse But just last week, after Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's deputy Foreign Affairs Minister said New Zealand didn't 'really need an Army because your most deadly enemy is a possum or a cat'. Who are New Zealand's enemies? Collins wouldn't specify on Thursday, other than to say, anyone who wanted to hurt our interests. She indicated that could include other nations. Peters, on the topic of the new precision kill systems and New Zealand enemies, said, 'This is not a pacifist convention, we're talking about defence, hoping never to use it.' He said part of the purpose of the Defence Force was deterrence. 'The reason why you have defence is so you can secure [the country]. The number one obligation of any member of Parliament or Government is the safety and security of their people. If you can't meet that number one obligation, how many others are you going to fail on?' Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says tensions are rising. Photo / Mark Mitchell Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour said there are 'bad people in the world' who are 'seeking to do harm to us'. 'Even as we speak, there are people online who are trying to disrupt New Zealand politics. They go into our communities and try and incite people. This kind of thing, unfortunately, is a reality.' Asked about the need for a precision kill system, Seymour suggested deterrence was critical. 'We are part of an alliance of countries who share our values, who value democracy and universal human rights, and we need the ability to deter people who might try and attack us,' Seymour said. 'Can New Zealand defend itself alone? No, it can't. Can we defend ourselves in an Anzac alliance? Maybe. Can we defend ourselves as a wider democratic alliance? Definitely. But we have to play our part. 'One of the deterrents to people who would attack us is that if they attack us, we might kill them. That's how wars work, unfortunately. I'd rather not have one, but that's how they work.' Labour's deputy leader, Carmel Sepuloni, said her party thought the defence investment was necessary but acknowledged there would be New Zealanders 'out there who think the optics of this are terrible' given cost-of-living pressures and teachers' strikes this week. The Greens' foreign affairs spokesman, Teanau Tuiono, said the Government was sending the 'wrong message'. 'Particularly at this point in time, in the middle of the cost of living crisis and teachers are striking, nurses are striking, and people are really concerned about that,' he said. 'Here's the thing, they always seem to be able to find money for military spending and not enough for food on the table.' Jamie Ensor is a political reporter in the NZ Herald press gallery team based at Parliament. He was previously a TV reporter and digital producer in the Newshub press gallery office. In 2025, he was a finalist for Political Journalist of the Year at the Voyager Media Awards.
1News
9 hours ago
- Business
- 1News
Live stream: Judith Collins, Winston Peters make defence announcement
Defence Minister Judith Collins and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have announced the Government has confirmed plans to purchase five MH-60R Seahawk helicopters and two Airbus A321XLR aircraft, finalising a $2.7 billion investment to upgrade the Defence Force's air fleet. The aircraft will replace the Navy's ageing Seasprite helicopters and the Air Force's Boeing 757s, with Defence Minister Judith Collins saying the new assets will be 'combat capable, interoperable and dependable". Earlier this year the Government announced its Defence Capability Plan, outlining its spending blueprint for the next 15 years.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
National Security Brings Economic Benefits
Hon Judith Collins KC Minister of Defence Pulling our weight in an increasingly volatile world will keep New Zealanders safe while boosting our domestic economy, Defence Minister Judith Collins says. 'To achieve this, the Government has allocated $2.7 billion of capital and $563 million of operating funding for priority projects identified in the Defence Capability Plan we released last month. 'This includes the replacement of maritime helicopters and complements the $957 million for defence activities, personnel and estate previously announced,' Ms Collins says. 'This previous announcement, and today's commitments, brings the total investment in Defence to $4.2 billion in Budget 2025. 'Today we announce investments in critical tools that support our national and economic security. This ranges from updated and interoperable missile systems to counter uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) to protect our people and assets, through to planes that are essential for deploying troops and equipment and supporting international trade and diplomatic missions. 'We will be looking to use New Zealand businesses where it makes sense to do so, further demonstrating the Government's commitment to supporting those who are innovative and capable of developing tools and capability that Defence needs. 'Ultimately, spending on Defence will result in economic benefits to everyday New Zealanders and New Zealand businesses. I look forward to seeing our Defence industry grow in a range of areas, whether through New Zealand designed or built products, particularly in the advanced technology area, infrastructure development, or domestic contractors supporting high-value military procurement.' The $2.7 billion in capital and $563 million in operating funding announced today for priority Defence projects covers essential items including: replacing the two Boeing 757s to support military operations and deployments, humanitarian and disaster relief support, and trade and diplomatic missions replacing the Seasprite maritime helicopters to operate from Navy ships (previously announced) replacing the Javelin anti-armour missile system launch units with new units to ensure interoperability with partner militaries and provide the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) with the ability to fire at longer ranges encrypted radios to provide deployed Army units with secure voice communication a counter-UAS that can be set up in fixed locations and is able to disable drones/UAS that could pose a threat to personnel, aircraft/vehicles and infrastructure detailed design work for the future of Devonport Naval Base; and investment in homes for Defence families, Defence infrastructure, modernising the Defence vehicle fleet and digital and information management projects. 'These investments are critical to enable Defence to increase its lethality, protect New Zealand, and deliver what we expect of them,' Ms Collins says. 'The Defence Capability Plan outlines planned commitments of $12 billion over the next four years - including $9 billion of new spending - subject to future Budget decisions and Cabinet approving business cases. Our Budget commitments are yet another strong signal that we are cracking on and delivering on this plan, which will take Defence spending to 2 per cent of GDP by 2032/33. 'The Government's backing of Defence shows a very real recognition of the value we place on the men and women who serve and protect this country and its interests. 'Our people are being called upon to go more places, more often and for longer to play New Zealand's part in contributing to global security. This funding will enable them to do that. 'We will pull our weight.'
RNZ News
05-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Watch live: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at post-Cabinet media conference
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Parliament is back after a three-week recess and the prime minister is due to speak to reporters at his post-Cabinet press conference at 4pm. Watch the media conference live here: The prime minister will be joined by Trade Minister Todd McClay, who is expected to have an update on trade deals, including next steps in the India-New Zealand FTA. Tomorrow marks the start of a three-week sitting block at Parliament that ends on 22 May with the Budget. On Sunday Christopher Luxon, deputy prime minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins made a pre-Budget announcement of $2 billion to replace the navy's Seasprite helicopters , boosting their disaster response and aid capabilities. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
05-05-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
NZ Defence Force: Cambridge recruit trains to become aircraft technician
'I was a bit nervous to move in with complete strangers, but we all bonded super quickly and now spend every moment of our free time together as well. 'We are all in the same boat, which makes it a lot easier to relate to each other when we found things tough, or what we were enjoying from our course. 'Recruit course is not a competition. You are all working towards the same goal of graduation, so you need to believe in your own abilities while also supporting those around you.' However, Blackmore said she also faced a few hurdles. 'I have found the mental aspects a lot more challenging than the physical ones. We are under constant pressure during recruit course, where the assessments and activities can affect the future of our career if we don't do them well. 'While some of the physical things we do are tough at the time, I have been able to push through the pain and afterwards it is super rewarding.' Blackmore was now looking forward to the next step in her career as an aircraft technician and already has big goals. 'In the future, I would like to be posted to RNZAF Base Auckland and work on the Seasprite helicopters as part of No. 6 Squadron.' She said she was 'extremely grateful' to have been selected to be part of the Air Force and for the friendships she formed during the recruit course. 'These are friendships that I will be able to take from this course, and when we are all posted to different bases, it will be awesome to have friends all over New Zealand.'
