DefenceTalkSatellite launch company Rocket Lab announced earlier this week it had been forced to delay the launch of three US intelligence satellites from its New Zealand launch facility after that country ordered residents to stay home amid a spreading COVID-19 outbreak. The private space launch company announced this week it had been forced to postpone […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pandemic-delays-new-zealand-launch-of-three-us-intel-satellites-75096/

DefenceTalkNew Zealand announced plans Monday to spend NZ$2.35 billion ($1.6 billion) on four Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from the US government to better monitor vast swathes of the Pacific. The planes, a modified version of the Boeing 737 commercial airliner, will replace an ageing fleet of six P-3 Orions which have been in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/new-zealand-to-buy-new-boeing-maritime-patrol-planes-71737/

DefenceTalkLockheed Martin Canada marked an important milestone toward modernizing the Royal New Zealand Navy’s two ANZAC Class ships. The company announced that the ANZAC frigate systems upgrade project has successfully completed the combat system critical design review on schedule and to New Zealand’s satisfaction. The government-mandated review proves a contractor’s progress and planning for all […]https://www.defencetalk.com/new-zealand-approves-anzac-frigate-systems-upgrade-project-65684/

DefenceTalkThe Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) officially accepted ownership of the new pilot training aircraft, the Beechcraft T-6C Texan II in a ceremony at Base Ohakea this afternoon. Currently there are four T-6C aircraft at Ohakea; two arrived in August and two earlier this month. In total RNZAF will own 11 aircraft, the remaining […]https://www.defencetalk.com/new-zealand-formally-accepts-t-6c-training-aircraft-60938/

DefenceTalkDefence Minister Jonathan Coleman says the Government has given approval for the NZDF to seek a replacement for the Steyr rifle. “It is important NZDF personnel are well equipped and have effective modern rifles suited to today’s operational environment,” says Dr Coleman. “The Steyr rifle has served the NZDF well for over 20 years and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/new-rifles-for-nzdf-59924/

DefenceTalkThe New Zealand MoD has confirmed its preferred tenderers for the Royal New Zealand Navy’s (RNZN) ANZAC Frigate Systems Upgrade project to include MBDA as the provider of Sea Ceptor for the Local Area Air Defence (LAAD) system; subject to the New Zealand (NZ) Government’s final approval to proceed. Sea Ceptor will equip frigates HMNZ […]https://www.defencetalk.com/new-zealand-selects-sea-ceptor-air-defence-system-for-anzac-frigates-49288/

DefenceTalkNew Zealand will boost defense spending from $318 million to $583 million in fiscal 2013 thanks to a payback from austerity measures. “In the year to July 2013 the (military) will deliver $190 million in savings after achieving $140 million in the year prior,” New Zealand Defense Minister Jonathan Coleman said. “These savings free up […]https://www.defencetalk.com/new-zealand-beefs-up-defense-spending-47901/

DefenceTalkDefence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman today announced the purchase of 200 new trucks for the New Zealand Defence Force. In a $135 million project, the government is purchasing Rheinmetall-MAN military vehicles to replace the old NZDF Unimog and heavier Mercedes trucks. “The new NZDF medium and heavy trucks will carry more people and equipment, and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/new-trucks-for-nz-defence-force-47799/

DefenceTalkDefence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman says the government has approved the purchase of an upgraded and expanded Seasprite helicopter fleet for the New Zealand Defence Force. A total of eight Seasprites (plus two spare airframes) will be purchased from the United States company Kaman Aerospace in a NZ$242 million dollar deal, which includes a training […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nz-seasprite-helicopter-project-approved-47528/