New Zealand requests P-8A aircraft
The US State Department has made a determination approving a potential $1.46 billion foreign military sale to New Zealand for P-8A patrol aircraft and associated support, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on 28 April.
New Zealand is seeking new aircraft for maritime surveillance as its current six P-3K2 Orion maritime patrol aircraft head towards retirement from service in the mid-2020s.
An RfI for a Future Air Surveillance Capability was issued last year, and an RfP is expected in 2018 to kick off a formal competition.
New Zealand’s request includes up to four P-8A aircraft. The aircraft will be fitted with commercial engines, tactical open mission software, electro-optical and infrared MX-20HD, the AN/AAQ-2(V)1 acoustic system, AN/APY-10 radar and ALQ-240 electronic support measures.
Supporting equipment includes eight Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System, five Guardian laser transmitter assemblies for the AN/AAQ-24(V)N, system processors for AN/AAQ-24(V)N, AN/AAR-54 missile warning sensors for the AN/AAQ-24(V)N, and LN-251 with embedded GPS/inertial navigation systems.
Training, support and engineering services are also included in the package.
If New Zealand opts for the P-8A in the future, the prime contractor for the contract will be Boeing.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Competitive P17B tender marks a shift in Indian Navy frigate procurement]()
Competitive P17B tender marks a shift in Indian Navy frigate procurement
The Indian Navy's P17B programme is expected to combine greater weapons capacity with a competitive domestic construction model, although key systems could remain dependent on international supply chains.
-
![How France’s SNLE 3G programme is reshaping the naval nuclear industrial base]()
How France’s SNLE 3G programme is reshaping the naval nuclear industrial base
Extending far beyond a four-submarine replacement programme, France’s ballistic missile submarine effort is a decades-long industrial initiative designed to preserve the country’s ability to build and sustain nuclear-powered strategic platforms.
-
![China’s mineral processing dominance exposes naval supply chain vulnerabilities]()
China’s mineral processing dominance exposes naval supply chain vulnerabilities
Competition for critical minerals, and China’s dominance of their processing, is emerging as a decisive factor in future naval procurement programmes.
-
![Suppliers await next step in Australia’s mine warfare transition]()
Suppliers await next step in Australia’s mine warfare transition
Australia’s mine countermeasure capability remains in flux as the Huon-class nears retirement, but accelerated investment in autonomous systems is opening a path for industry.
-
![Can the US Navy ask Indo-Pacific allies to do more while training with them less?]()
Can the US Navy ask Indo-Pacific allies to do more while training with them less?
As the Iran War draws US ships and marine corps units away from the Indo-Pacific, curtailed exercises and a temporary carrier gap are exposing tensions between Washington’s demand for more self-reliant allies and the joint training needed to realise that ambition.
