A final decision on the MH-60R helicopters will be made by the NZ government next year. (Photo: Australian Department of Defence)
The New Zealand government has announced it intention to buy five MH-60R Seahawk helicopters and two Airbus A321XLR aircraft to replace the New Zealand Defence Force’s ageing eight SH-2G Seasprite rotary fleet and two Boeing 757 aircraft.
While no firm order has been placed for the Seahawk helicopters, New Zealand’s government said that NZ$2.7 billion (US$1.6 billion) had been budgeted for their purchase. Discussions to procure the aircraft will go via the US’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme, which is now reportedly underway, with the government set to make a final decision in 2026.
According to the New Zealand government, the
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