New Zealand Orders Seahawk Helicopters and Airbus Aircraft in $1.57B Deal
The New Zealand government will spend US$1.16 billion on five Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, part of a $1.57 billion (NZ$2.7 billion) modernization effort.
Alongside the Seahawks, the package includes two Airbus A321XLRs, which will replace the Air Force’s aging 757 fleet that has faced repeated breakdowns.
The helicopters will feature advanced anti-submarine warfare systems, Hellfire missiles, machine guns, and precision strike weapons, significantly boosting New Zealand’s military capabilities.
Officials also indicated that unmanned aerial systems will be added to the arsenal in the coming years. The new Airbus aircraft are scheduled to enter service around 2028.
