New Zealand to acquire five MH-60R Seahawk helicopters

The New Zealand government has signed an agreement with the United States to acquire five MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters from Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. The deal, valued at NZD 1.648 billion in capital expenditure, also includes associated weaponry, support systems, and an average of NZD 110 million in annual operating funds over the next ten years.

Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2030. The new aircraft are intended to enhance the capabilities of New Zealand’s frigate fleet, providing improved speed, range, and payload capacity for missions including anti-submarine warfare, surface combat, search and rescue, and maritime counter-terrorism. The acquisition is designed to ensure interoperability with the Australian Defence Force and other allied maritime forces in the Indo-Pacific region.

Additional funding has been allocated for infrastructure and temporary facilities at the Royal New Zealand Air Force base in Whenuapai, Auckland. Future phases of the program may include training systems and uncrewed aerial systems.