NZ Defence force confirms 757 and SH2G replacement

The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) has confirmed which aircraft will replace its aging fleets of Boeing 757 aircraft and SH2G Seasprite helicopters.

The replacement comes as a part of a $2.7 billion investment, part of the Defence Capability Plan announced in April, included more than $2 billion for the maritime helicopters and $700 million for the transport/cargo planes, which will replace the ageing Seasprites and Boeing 757s.

The RNZAF confirmed it will purchase five MH-60R Seahawk helicopters to replace its SH2G(I) Seasprites, originally delivered in 2016 - and the earlier SH-2G(NZ) variant first introduced to service from 2001. It will also replace its two Boeing 757s purchased in 2003 with two brand-new Airbus A321XLR jets.

Defence Minister Judith Collins says the decision will ensure New Zealand has a “critical combat capable, interoperable and dependable fleet.

An Australian MH-60R Seahawk | Phot: Noah Stohr-Waldren

The MH-60R is developed by Sikorsky (a Lockheed Martin company), and is a well proven helicopter derived from the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk. It is in service with several navies including the United States and Australian navies.

The helicopter has a top speed of 180 knots and a max range of 470 nautical miles (approximately 870 kilometers). The MH-60R is operated by a crew of three.

The MH-60R is capable of carrying anti-submarine torpedoes, Hellfire air-surface missiles and crew-served machine guns.

Ms Collins said the helicopters are versatile and added combat and deterrent capability to the naval fleet.

"These five Seahawks will increase the offensive and defensive capability and surveillance range of New Zealand’s frigates and ensure we are interoperable with our ally Australia and other partner defence forces,” said Collins.

“We will now move at pace to get the process under way to procure helicopters directly through the United States’ Foreign Military Sales programme instead of going to a wider tender.”

Cabinet is expected to consider the final business case next year.

An Airbus A321NEO (LR) operated by the German Air Force | Photo: Lufthansa Technik

Alongside the MH-60R, it was announced that two A321XLRs was the chosen platform to replace the unreliable fleet of Boeing 757s.

The choice was made over the possibility of purchasing Boeing 737MAX aircraft as a replacement for the old jets.

The aircraft will be acquired under a six-year lease-to-buy agreement with capital costs of up to $620 million and four-year operating costs up to $80 million.

The RNZAF is expected to receive its two new Airbus A321XLRs in 2028.

The A321XLR has a range of over 4700 nautical miles (8700 kilometers).

The aircraft can transport up to 9,100 kilograms of cargo or 42 cubic metres in its holds, and depending on the mission, it can operate with a crew ranging from three to 15.

"New Zealand needs reliable aircraft to deploy our personnel, deliver military equipment and humanitarian aid, support the evacuation of civilians, and transport government trade and diplomatic delegations quickly, over long distances, and often at short notice, Collins said.

"The decision to acquire the extra long-range aircraft reflects the importance of having an aircraft capable of such things as returning safely from Antarctica if it is unable to land due to conditions on the ice."