The United States has approved the proposed sale of five advanced MH-60R Seahawk helicopters and associated equipment to New Zealand in a deal valued at up to NZ$2.6 billion, alongside a separate NZ$119 million package for MK 54 torpedoes.
The helicopters, first announced by then Defence Minister Judith Collins and Foreign Minister Winston Peters in 2025 as replacements for the Navy’s ageing maritime fleet, are designed for anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance and strike operations.
Capable of carrying heavy payloads and equipped with torpedoes, Hellfire missiles and precision-guided weapons, the aircraft are already operated by Australia, the United States and several allied nations. The US State Department said the acquisition would strengthen New Zealand’s ability to protect critical infrastructure and respond to emerging security threats, while enhancing homeland defence capabilities.
The proposed sales must still receive approval from the US Congress before proceeding.
Hopefully these choppers aren’t 2nd-hand crap from USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) https://en.ypagency.net/394965