New Zealand has taken a decisive leap in modernizing its defense forces, announcing a sweeping NZ$2.7 billion (about US$1.6 billion) military aircraft spending package on August 21, 2025. The move marks a significant shift for the island nation, which has long prided itself on distance as a shield and relied heavily on aging equipment primarily suited for peacekeeping and humanitarian missions. Now, with global tensions rising and the security environment in rapid flux, New Zealand’s government is investing heavily in new aircraft—chief among them, a fleet of advanced Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopters purchased from the United States.
At a press conference in Wellington, Defense Minister Judith Collins and Foreign Minister Winston Peters unveiled the details of the package, which includes five MH-60R Seahawk helicopters and two Airbus A321XLR aircraft. According to AP, the helicopters alone will account for more than NZ$2 billion of the total expenditure. The remainder will go toward the new Airbus planes, set to replace the air force’s aging Boeing 757s—aircraft that have become notorious for frequent breakdowns, sometimes leaving New Zealand’s prime ministers stranded on international trips.
This major procurement is the first step in a government plan, announced in April, to double defense spending from 1% to 2% of GDP within the next decade. As Foreign Minister Peters put it, “We face the most challenging strategic circumstances in New Zealand’s modern history and certainly the worst that anyone today working in politics or foreign affairs can remember.” He added pointedly, “Diplomacy is not enough.”
The decision to purchase the MH-60R Seahawk helicopters was not made lightly. Collins, speaking to FlightGlobal, described the aircraft as “a great aircraft for what New Zealand needs and fulfils our objective of having a more integrated Anzac force.” She emphasized that the new helicopters would “increase the offensive and defensive capability and surveillance range of Royal New Zealand Navy’s frigates and ensure we are interoperable with our ally Australia and other partner defence forces.”
The MH-60R Seahawks are no ordinary helicopters. Designed for maritime operations, they boast a maximum speed of 180 knots (333 kilometers per hour) and a range of 520 nautical miles (963 kilometers). Their arsenal includes Mk 54 anti-submarine torpedoes, AGM-114 Hellfire air-surface missiles, crew-served machine guns, and the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System, according to Reuters. These features mark a substantial upgrade over the SH-2G(I) Seasprite helicopters currently in use, which are maintained by the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s No. 6 Squadron and flown by Royal New Zealand Navy pilots. The new Seahawks will be procured directly through the United States’ Foreign Military Sales program, with the final business case expected to go before Cabinet in 2026.
But why the sudden urgency? The answer lies in the rapidly evolving security landscape of the Pacific. For decades, New Zealand’s military spending has lagged behind that of its partners in the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, which includes the United States, Britain, Canada, and Australia. However, as major powers jostle for influence in the South Pacific—particularly China, whose growing presence has alarmed many Western nations—New Zealand finds itself re-evaluating its defense posture. As AP reports, the region was once neglected by Western powers, but that attitude has reversed sharply in recent years as Beijing’s efforts to court Pacific leaders have become more apparent.
“Distance no longer provides New Zealand the protection it once did,” Collins declared during the announcement. “And defense is not something that can be mothballed until you need it.” This sentiment was echoed by Peters, who, when asked about potential adversaries and the necessity for advanced weaponry, responded bluntly, “We’re talking about defence force. You get what that means? Start being real.”
The package’s significance is underscored by the state of New Zealand’s current military hardware. The Boeing 757s, which the new Airbus A321XLRs will replace, are more than 30 years old and were already secondhand when purchased. Their frequent mechanical failures have been a source of embarrassment and logistical headaches for the government. The aging Seasprite helicopters, built by American aerospace firm Kaman, have also struggled to meet the demands of modern maritime operations.
According to Reuters, the new Airbus aircraft are expected to be available for use around 2028, providing a much-needed boost to the reliability and range of New Zealand’s air transport fleet. Meanwhile, the acquisition of the MH-60R Seahawks will take a few years, as New Zealand will have to “wait in line” for new production slots—a reality acknowledged by Collins. Still, she stressed the importance of moving quickly, noting that the government would “move at pace” to secure the helicopters directly from the U.S., bypassing a wider tender process.
Some observers have speculated whether the choice to buy American aircraft might be linked to recent trade tensions, particularly U.S. tariffs on New Zealand goods. Collins, however, denied any such motivation, stating she was unaware of any plans to use the purchase as leverage in tariff negotiations. She did note that the same helicopters are used by Australia, the United States, and seven other countries, highlighting the benefits of interoperability with key allies.
This focus on alliance-building is not accidental. Just this month, the leaders of New Zealand and Australia reaffirmed their commitment to closer military ties, recognizing the need to present a united front amid intensifying great power competition in the South Pacific. As Collins explained, “This decision will ensure New Zealand has a critical combat capable, interoperable and dependable fleet.”
The shift toward enhanced military capability marks a notable departure from New Zealand’s recent history, where defense spending was a tough sell to a population of just 5 million and the armed forces were often deployed for humanitarian and disaster relief rather than combat. But as the world changes, so too does New Zealand’s approach to security. “Global tensions are increasing rapidly, and we must invest in our national security to ensure our economic prosperity,” Peters asserted.
Looking ahead, the government has signaled that these purchases are just the beginning. The Defence Force plans to add unmanned drones to its fleet of attack options in the future, further expanding its capabilities. For now, though, the focus is on getting the new helicopters and planes into service as soon as possible, modernizing a military that has, for too long, operated with outdated and unreliable equipment.
As New Zealand takes its place in a more contested and unpredictable Pacific, the days of relying on distance and diplomacy alone appear to be over. With this major investment, the country is signaling that it’s ready to meet the challenges of a new era—however uncertain they may be.
