On Thursday, August 21, 2025, New Zealand’s Ministry of Defence, through its head Judith Collins, announced the decision of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s government under which five Kaman SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite shipborne maritime helicopters will be replaced by an equal number of Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk multirole helicopters, and two Boeing 757-200 transport-passenger aircraft will be replaced by two Airbus A321XLRs (eXtra Long Range).
Photo: New Zealand’s Ministry of Defence
The new MH-60R Seahawk helicopters acquired under the Maritime Helicopter Replacement program will be interoperable with allied Australia (23 in service; one lost + 12 on order) and with the armed forces of other partners, as well as able to participate in multinational coalition missions. The helicopter is operated by the United States and eight other countries.
Formal talks have begun regarding the purchase of the helicopters through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme, with the government expected to make final decisions next year.
More than 2 billion NZD will be allocated for the purchase, which will enhance the defensive and offensive capabilities as well as the surveillance range of New Zealand’s two Anzac-class frigates, designed under the MEKO 200 ANZ project, HMNZS Te Kaha (F77) and Te Mana (F111). Programme costs will be disclosed once final decisions are made.
The program is expected to be carried out in three phases. The first covers the replacement of the helicopters; the second will focus on infrastructure and training systems at RNZAF Base Auckland in Whenuapai, a suburb of Auckland; and the third will concern investment in vertical take-off and landing unmanned systems to complement the helicopter fleet.
The Airbus A321XLR aircraft under the Future Air Mobility – Strategic program will be acquired through a six-year lease agreement with a purchase option, with capital costs of 620 million NZD and four-year operating costs of 80.86 million NZD.
The fleet will be based at RNZAF Base Auckland as part of No. 40 Squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). They will be used to carry out a variety of missions, including the transport of personnel and cargo in military operations, including to Antarctica. The new aircraft will continue to support short-term, rapid tasks assigned by the government in situations where commercial airlines cannot or are unable to operate. These tasks may include emergency relief operations throughout New Zealand and the Pacific, as well as the evacuation of citizens.
The new Airbuses will also be used for diplomatic and trade missions in the region and worldwide, particularly for large delegations. They will provide rapid response capability, enabling flights to Pacific islands as well as to other areas rarely served by commercial airlines.
Contract negotiations for the two Airbus A321XLR aircraft are nearing completion. As these are commercial products, they will be fitted out and ready for use shortly after delivery, in early 2028.
They will complement the capabilities of the five C-130J-30 Super Hercules medium transport aircraft ordered in 2020 and delivered in December 2024 (successors to the C-130H(NZ) Hercules). The current Boeing 757-200 aircraft were purchased second-hand in 2003 and are now 32 years old.
In recent years, New Zealand has also ordered four Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft to replace the P-3K2 Orion, as well as nine NH90 TTH multirole helicopters earlier.
