On 9 July 2018, the Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters announced that New Zealand will acquire four Boeing P-8A Poseidon aircraft, and training systems, to replace the ageing P-3K2 Orion fleet.
https://defence.govt.nz/the-latest/stor ... n-aircraftNo. 5 Squadron, which currently operates the Orions, will shift from Whenuapai to Ohakea Air Force Base to operate the P-8As.
New Zealand to buy four P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft
The coalition Government has agreed to purchase four Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from the United States Government.
The four aircraft will replace the aging six P-3K2 Orion maritime patrol aircraft that have been operated by the Royal New Zealand Air Force since the 1960s. The current Orion fleet will reach the end of their expected operational life in 2025.
The role of maritime patrol aircraft includes:
- Supporting maritime surveillance, humanitarian aid and disaster response, and resource protection around NZ and in the South Pacific;
- Contributing to the international rules based order through participation in global peace and security operations;
- Search and rescue in New Zealand’s region, which stretches from the South Pole almost to the Equator and covers 1/11th of the earth’s surface;
- Environmental and marine resource monitoring.
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new ... l-aircraftThe new P-8As, training systems, infrastructure and introduction into service costs will total $2.346 billion. They will be delivered and begin operations from 2023.
The capital cost will be spread over a number of financial years out to 2025/26. This is an investment decision that has fallen on this Government to make, but will be spread over the medium term and will deliver for New Zealand for many decades to come. The P-8A was the most cost-effective maritime patrol aircraft option available.
No. 5 Squadron, which currently operates the Orions, will shift from Whenuapai to Ohakea air force base to operate the P-8As.
The Government will also consider options for a complementary maritime surveillance capability during the forthcoming Defence Capability Plan review, due to be completed by the end of 2018.
“The complementary capability will consider smaller manned aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) or satellites, for additional maritime surveillance tasks within New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone and near region. This will free up the new P-8A fleet to fly more missions, in the South Pacific and further afield,” says Ron Mark.
New Zealand – P-8A Aircraft and Associated Support
http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/ne ... ed-supportWASHINGTON, Apr. 28, 2017 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to New Zealand for P-8A aircraft and associated support. The estimated cost is $1.46 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on April 27, 2017.
New Zealand has requested the potential sale of up to four (4) P-8A Patrol Aircraft. Each includes:
- commercial engines,
- Tactical Open Mission Software (TOMS),
- Electro-Optical (EO) and Infrared (IR) MX-20HD,
- AN/AAQ-2(V)1 Acoustic System,
- AN/APY-10 Radar,
- ALQ-240 Electronic Support Measures.
Also included are
- eight (8) Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS);
- five (5) Guardian Laser Transmitter Assemblies (GLTA) for the AN/AAQ-24(V)N;
- five (5) System Processors for AN/AAQ-24(V)N;
- thirty (30) AN/AAR-54 Missile Warning Sensors for the AN/AAQ-24(V)N;
- ten (10) LN-251 with Embedded Global Positioning Systems (GPS)/Inertial Navigations Systems (EGIs);
- support equipment;
- operation support systems;
- maintenance trainer/classrooms;
- publications;
- software, engineering, and logistics technical assistance;
- foreign Liaison officer support, contractor engineering technical services;
- repair and return;
- transportation;
- aircraft ferry;
- and other associated training, support equipment and services.
The total estimated cost is $1.46 billion.
- Future Air Surveillance Capability
https://defence.govt.nz/what-we-do/deli ... apability/