New Zealand has made its first major defense investment since deciding to upgrade its aging military fleet, announcing on Thursday a NZ$2.7 billion ($1.6 billion) plan to acquire five MH-60R Seahawk helicopters and two Airbus A321XLR aircraft.
According to a joint statement from Defence Minister Judith Collins and Foreign Minister Winston Peters, NZ$2 billion will be allocated for the purchase of the maritime helicopters from Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky division. In comparison, NZ$700 million will go toward the A321XLR planes.
Defence Minister Judith Collins and Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced in a joint statement that NZ$700 million will go toward acquiring the A321XLR aircraft. In comparison, NZ$2 billion will be allocated for the purchase of maritime helicopters manufactured by Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky division.
Both initiatives are included in the government’s Defence Capability Plan, which was announced in April.
In April, under the Defence Capability Plan, New Zealand pledged to increase its defence investment spending by NZ$9 billion over four years, aiming to nearly double the defence budget to 2% of GDP within eight years.
Read: How to Turn on 2 Factor Authentication Gmail
Fast-Tracking Military Procurement
Collins said the government plans to expedite the helicopter purchase through the United States’ Foreign Military Sales program, bypassing a broader tender process, with a full business case expected to go before Cabinet next year.
The Boeing 757 aircraft will be replaced by the two new Airbus aircraft, which will be purchased under a six-year lease-to-buy agreement.
The New Zealand Defence Force currently relies on two 757 aircraft that are more than 30 years old and have become increasingly unreliable as they continue to age. The country’s leaders have been forced to board commercial flights after being stranded on multiple occasions.
“Taking this step will ensure New Zealand has a key combat capable, accessible and reliable fleet,” Collins stated.
Responding to Rising Global Tensions
Investment choices made by the government demonstrated that it was reacting to “the sharply decreasing safety environment,” according to Peters.
“Global conflicts are increasing quickly, and we need to invest in our national security to guarantee our economic prosperity,” he stated.
According to an intelligence study made public on Thursday, New Zealand is dealing with the most difficult national security issues in recent memory due to growing risks of foreign spying and meddling, especially from China.
