# Global MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopter procurement > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/global-mh-60r-seahawk-maritime-helicopter-procurement > Updated: 2026-10-21T03:08:52.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 4. Various nations are expanding their maritime capabilities through the procurement of MH-60R Seahawk helicopters from the United States. South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense has approved a second tranche of 24 Lockheed Martin MH-60R Seahawk multi-role maritime helicopters to replace its Leonardo Super Lynx Mk 99 fleet. This acquisition, following U.S. Department of State approval, aims to bring the total fleet to 36 aircraft. A significant technical development in this procurement is the ongoing effort to integrate South Korean-made K745 Blue Shark lightweight torpedoes with the helicopters. This marks the first time such integration has been requested, as previous purchases were bundled exclusively with RTX Mk 54 torpedoes. New Zealand has signed a NZ$1.65 billion agreement via the Foreign Military Sales program to acquire five MH-60R Seahawk helicopters from Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation to replace its existing fleet of eight Kaman SH-2G(I) Super Seasprites. The deal includes associated systems, weaponry, spare parts, and training. The weaponry package features MK 54 Mod 0 lightweight torpedoes, AGM-114R Hellfire missiles, GAU-21 and M240D machine guns, and APKWS rockets. This acquisition is intended to enhance the Royal New Zealand Navy’s capabilities in anti-submarine warfare, surface combat, search and rescue, and maritime counter-terrorism, while ensuring interoperability with the Australian Defence Force and other Indo-Pacific allies. Deliveries are expected to commence in 2030. The project also includes an anticipated annual operational cost of NZ$110 million over the next decade and funding for infrastructure at RNZAF Base Auckland in Whenuapai. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-21: Australia and New Zealand bolster Pacific defense capabilities New Zealand is acquiring five MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, while Australia has opened tenders for a medium-range ground-based air defense system to bolster regional security. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/australia-and-new-zealand-bolster-pacific-defense-capabilities ### 2026-10-18: New Zealand to acquire five MH-60R Seahawk helicopters New Zealand will acquire five MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters from the US in a deal worth NZD 1.648 billion, enhancing its naval surveillance and combat capabilities by 2030. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-zealand-to-acquire-five-mh-60r-seahawk-helicopters ### 2026-10-16: New Zealand to purchase five MH-60R Seahawk helicopters from US New Zealand will purchase five MH-60R Seahawk helicopters from the United States to replace its aging Super Seasprite fleet, with deliveries starting in 2030. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-zealand-to-purchase-five-mh-60r-seahawk-helicopters-from-us ### 2026-09-16: South Korea approves purchase of Lockheed Martin MH-60R Seahawk helicopters South Korea has approved the purchase of 24 additional Lockheed Martin MH-60R Seahawk helicopters to bolster its naval aviation and replace aging Leonardo Super Lynx models. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korea-approves-purchase-of-lockheed-martin-mh-60r-seahawk-helicopters --- Cite as: Global MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopter procurement. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/global-mh-60r-seahawk-maritime-helicopter-procurement