RNZAF purchases two Airbus A321 NEOs to replace Boeing 757s
This morning, the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) confirmed the purchase of two Airbus A321 NEO LRs to replace its aging fleet of two Boeing 757s. The RNZAF currently expects the two new jets to arrive in late 2027. They will then enter operation in early 2028.
An Airbus A321 NEO from the German Air Force | Photo: Finnographie
Happy April Fools Day! While the RNZAF hasn’t confirmed they have purchased A321s, there was a tender released last year that stated the RNZAF will replace its 757s before the end of 2027. The two options for this is the Airbus A321 NEO LR or Boeing 737 MAX 8.
The tender is open to aircraft manufacturers and lessors who can deliver either two Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft or two Airbus A321neo LR/XLR aircraft to the RNZAF. Lessors are required to offer purchase options as part of their response to the tender as the aircraft will be registered on the New Zealand Military Register.
Militarised variants of both aircraft are in service with various militaries worldwide. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) operates two Boeing 737 MAX 8 Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) for Special Purpose Aircraft (SPA) missions. The German Luftwaffe, meanwhile, operates two militarised A321LRs for passenger transport and medical evacuation missions similar to the RNZAFs current use of their Boeing 757s.
In 2003, the RNZAF acquired two second-hand Boeing 757-200s from Transavia. These aircraft are used to transport freight, cargo and troops, and during medical emergencies.
One drawback to the both the A321 and 737 will be it’s cargo capacity, the current 757s are capable of carrying large cargo loads due to being “combi” variants, where they can carry cargo in their upper decks, whereas the A321 will not have this feature, leaving the RNZAFs cargo capacity down to their fleet of C-130J Hercules’.
However, the New Zealand Government said, "The cost of maintaining and issues with reliability of the current fleet, alongside the competitiveness of the market for aircraft of this type, has meant the business case process has been fast tracked."
One of the RNZAFs aging 757s | Photo: Noah Stohr-Waldren
Information gathered through the tender process, which concluded on 23 January 2025, will be used to identify the preferred supplier and negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the MoD and supplier to secure delivery slots while more in-depth contract negotiations are completed.
Which aircraft would you prefer the RNZAF to choose, the Airbus A321 Neo LR or Boeing 737 MAX 8?
