Overview

• Five MH-60R naval helicopters and two A321XLR long-range transports are the first major procurements under April’s Defence Capability Plan.
• The helicopter buy will proceed through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program without a wider tender, with a final business case to go to cabinet in 2026 and deliveries expected to take a few years.
• MH-60Rs will replace SH-2G Seasprites, extending the reach and combat capability of New Zealand’s frigates and aligning operations with Australia and other partners.
• The A321XLRs will replace the RNZAF’s aging Boeing 757s under a six-year lease-to-buy deal, with officials citing Antarctic turn-back safety and costs of NZ$620 million in capital plus NZ$80.86 million in four-year operating expenses.
• The announcement coincided with an intelligence assessment warning of increased foreign interference and espionage risks, particularly linked to China, which officials cited in justifying the accelerated acquisitions.