The New Zealand government said on 4 May it will spend NZ$2 billion (US$1.19 billion) in its upcoming budget to replace the Defence Force’s aging maritime helicopters. Along with money for the helicopters, the government said it would increase baseline spending by NZ$239 million for the Defence Force each year over the next four years.
Minister for Defence Judith Collins said the Defence Force’s ageing maritime helicopters will be replaced to increase the defensive and offensive capability and surveillance range of New Zealand’s frigates. “The replacement of the Seasprite helicopters will also extend the Navy’s ability to support non-combat tasks such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief,” Collins says. “Together with a $957 million investment in Defence Force activities, personnel and estate, the $2 billion plus budgeted to replace the helicopters represents the first tranche of the government’s $12 billion of planned commitments to upgrade the Defence Force over the next four years. I will have more to say about investments in the coming year at the Budget.
“There is no economic security without national security. Global tensions are increasing rapidly, and Defence personnel need the right equipment and conditions to do their jobs,” Collins said. “As a maritime nation we are prioritising naval capability. The new helicopters will be able to go further and carry larger loads, including weapons, personnel and equipment – all of which is critical for Defence to protect New Zealand and New Zealanders. A business case for these helicopters will be considered by Cabinet this year but today we are confirming the money to pay for them has been put aside. The $957 million investment in Defence equates to $239 million a year over four years.
Activities that will be funded include:
- $150 million for the Defence Force to sail, fly, patrol and train more often;
- $39 million for personnel allowances for such things as deployments;
- $20 million for international deployments;
- $3 million to increase essential engagement with international partners;
- $26 million for critical estate maintenance to improve accommodation and working and training conditions for personnel.
“It is very clear that New Zealand is not immune from the increasing tensions being felt throughout the world,” Collins says. “Today’s announcement sets us on our path for defence spending to reach 2 percent of GDP by 2032/33. This is just the beginning as we work with our coalition partners New Zealand First and ACT to give our Defence Force the tools to enable New Zealand to increasingly step up both domestically and internationally We will pull our weight.”
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NH90, MH-60R or Wildcat seem to be the logical contenders here.
I recall one factor in the RNZAF acquisition of NH90 was the presence of a sizeable sister program in Australia which would bring benefits in terms of interoperability and logistics. Now that Australia no longer operates MRH90, perhaps the same logic would favour the MH-60R.
Wildcat might be cheaper to operate and acquire than either of the larger alternatives, but would necessitate the establishment of a new set of systems and commercial relationships for sustainment and fleet management.
Whatever is decided, this will be a litmus test for the NZ NH90 program.
I can’t fault your logic. Btw, I wish I could understand how the RAN managed to replace 6 utility Taipans with 12 specialised MH-60Rs. They now look to have far more Romeos than they need – 36 of them – especially with the Hobart class going into mid-life upgrade and an ANZAC retired, with another on the way. It’s almost as if they didn’t have a budget to worry about.