Acquisition Activities

• Current acquisition projects
  • ANZAC Ships Upgrade
    • Close-In Weapons Systems (CIWS)
    • Platform Systems Upgrade (PSU)
  • Army Engineering Equipment Gap Crossing Capability
  • C-130 Life Extension
  • Helicopter Capability
    • Agusta-Westland A109 LUH Training/Light Utility Helicopter
    • NH90 Medium Utility Helicopter
  • P-3 Systems Upgrade
  • Project Protector
• Current request for tenders, proposals and information
• Quality assurance
• Local industries involvement policies
• Australia/New Zealand defence suppliers
• Defence Industry Committee of NZ (DICNZ)
• Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence to Industry

Photographic representation of the proposed NH90 helicopter.

Helicopter Capability
NH90 Medium Utility Helicopter

Client: Royal New Zealand Air Force

Description

To acquire a Medium Utility Helicopter to replace the Iroquois utility helicopter with a capability that meets the New Zealand Defence Force's contemporary needs.

Government approval

In July 2006 the Government approved a project budget of NZ$771.7 million excluding GST.

Contract

A contract was signed with Nato Helicopter Industries (NHI) in July 2006 for eight operational helicopters.

Current status

The forecast delivery dates for the Helicopters are:

• NZ3301 October 2011
• NZ3302 October 2011
• NZ3303 April 2012
• NZ3304 April 2012
• NZ3305 May 2012
• NZ3306 May 2012
• NZ3307 August 2012
• NZ3308 August 2012
• NZ3309 (Attrition Airframe) October 2011.

Training of aircrew and maintainers in France has been completed, utilising the first two helicopters.

For further information see the Royal New Zealand Air Force web site (www.airforce.mil.nz) or contact:

Acquisition Division
Ministry of Defence
PO Box 12703
Molesworth Street
Wellington 6144
New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 496 0678
Fax: +64 4 496 0859
Email: info@defence.govt.nz

As at August 2011