Government confirms $2.7 billion investment in new defence aircraft

Thursday 21 August 2025 · 4 outlets · 5 reports · updated Thu 21 Aug 2025, 3:23pm

In this story Winston Peters, New Zealand Defence Force, Judith Collins

Defence Minister Judith Collins and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have announced plans to purchase five MH-60R Seahawk helicopters and two Airbus A321XLR aircraft. The $2.7 billion investment will upgrade the Defence Force's air fleet, replacing ageing Seasprite helicopters and Boeing 757s.

How they headlined it

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1. 1NewsThu 21 Aug 2025, 12:55pm

   Live stream: Judith Collins, Winston Peters make defence announcement (opens in new tab)

   • New planes, helicopters for Defence Force (opens in new tab) Thu 21 Aug 2025, 1:01pm
2. RNZThu 21 Aug 2025, 2:04pm

   Watch: Judith Collins and Winston Peters reveal new $2.7b planes and helicopters (opens in new tab)

3. Otago Daily TimesThu 21 Aug 2025, 2:17pm

   Govt confirms replacements for ageing Defence Force aircraft (opens in new tab)

4. StuffThu 21 Aug 2025, 3:23pm

   Blades of glory: Ministers take model helicopter for a spin after $2 billion spend up (opens in new tab)