Reference News Network, August 27th report. According to the U.S. "Defense News" weekly website on August 23rd, New Zealand will spend 2.7 billion New Zealand dollars (approximately 1.58 billion U.S. dollars) to introduce five Sikorsky MH-60R "Seahawk" helicopters and two Airbus A321XLR aircraft, replacing the current eight SH-2G(I) "Sea Sprite" helicopters of the Royal New Zealand Air Force and two Boeing 757 transport aircraft.
The Royal New Zealand Air Force began to equip with the "Sea Sprite" helicopters in 2015. The newly introduced "Seahawk" helicopters have a range of up to 600 miles (approximately 966 kilometers), which is about one-third more than the range of the "Sea Sprite" helicopters.
The Royal New Zealand Air Force currently has two Boeing 757-200 aircraft that first flew in 1993, were officially commissioned into the New Zealand Air Force in 2003, and completed their upgrade in 2007.
The Airbus A321XLR aircraft has a range of 5,400 miles, compared to the Boeing 757's range of 4,485 miles. The increased range means that even if the planes heading to Antarctica cannot land due to ice or weather conditions, they can still safely return to New Zealand.
New Zealand's Minister of Defense Judith Collins and Foreign Minister Winston Peters jointly announced this news on August 21st. This is the first major investment project finalized under the framework of the New Zealand government's "Defense Capabilities Plan" released this April.
After completing the helicopter procurement, New Zealand will also advance the development of unmanned aerial systems capabilities.
Collins said, "This decision will ensure that New Zealand has a fleet with key combat capabilities, interoperability, and reliable performance."
Collins emphasized that these maritime helicopters have a wide range of uses and will enhance the combat capabilities and deterrent power of the naval fleet.
She stated, "These five 'Seahawk' helicopters will enhance the offensive and defensive capabilities and reconnaissance range of New Zealand's two 'Anzac' class frigates, while ensuring that we can achieve interoperability with the defense forces of our ally Australia and other partners."
Regarding the claim that "replacing eight 'Sea Sprite' helicopters with five 'Seahawk' helicopters means a decline in combat capability," Collins refuted it. She stated that the existing 'Sea Sprite' helicopters are very old and can only perform tasks for part of the time, so the replacement will not lead to a decrease in capability.
The minister also mentioned, "These two Airbus A321XLR aircraft will be introduced through a 'lease-to-buy' model, with a lease period of six years."
A week before announcing this news, Collins just unveiled a new hangar at the Ohakea Air Force Base of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, which will be used to house four P-8A "Poseidon" anti-submarine patrol aircraft of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. (Translation by Liu Baiyun)
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7543115489975812627/
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