First C-130J Aircraft Delivered to Royal New Zealand Air Force

Lockheed Martin delivered the first of five C-130J-30 Super Hercules tactical airlifters to the New Zealand Ministry of Defence (MOD) and New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) on August 8, 2024, during a ceremony at their facility in Marietta, Georgia. This delivery marks the beginning of New Zealand's $NZ1.5 billion (approximately $902.3 million USD) program to replace its aging C-130H(NZ) fleet, which has been operational since the 1960s.

The newly delivered aircraft, designated NZ7011, first took flight in April 2024 and is part of a contract signed in 2020 under the US foreign military sales program. The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) will operate the new C-130Js under the supervision of 40 Squadron at RNZAF Base Auckland. These aircraft are set to take over the roles previously held by the older C-130H fleet across New Zealand and the Indo-Pacific region.

The C-130J Super Hercules is a modern, versatile aircraft designed for a wide range of missions, including humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and military operations in collaboration with allies. Lockheed Martin's vice president and general manager of Air Mobility & Maritime Missions, Rod McLean, emphasized the new fleet's enhanced capabilities, noting that they offer New Zealand increased alignment with allies, greater operational reach, and proven performance in demanding tactical airlift operations.

The C-130J is a powerful and advanced aircraft, measuring 97.9 feet in length, with a wingspan of 132.7 feet, and a cargo bay length of 41 feet. It can carry up to 90 people or payloads weighing up to 42,000 pounds. Powered by four Rolls-Royce AE 2100 turboprop engines, each delivering 4,637 horsepower, the aircraft can reach a maximum speed of 362 knots, with a range of 1,800 nautical miles and an operational altitude of up to 40,386 feet.

In addition to the aircraft, the program includes corresponding flight simulators and supporting capabilities, with the construction of associated training platforms initiated in Montreal, Canada, in 2023. Lockheed Martin also accepted a $38-million contract in 2022 to deliver another simulator to train future C-130J aircrew, ensuring comprehensive training and readiness for the RNZAF’s new fleet.

The RNZAF’s C-130J fleet will continue to support New Zealand’s global missions, from humanitarian assistance to military operations, enhancing the country's defense capabilities and its role in international security.

New Zealand receives first P-8A Poseidon

New Zealand received the first of four Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft

The milestone comes four years after the New Zealand Government entered into an agreement with the U.S. Navy for the P-8A.

Boeing Defence Australia will provide sustainment services for New Zealand’s.

New Zealand’s three remaining P-8 aircraft are all in advanced stages of production and will be delivered in 2023. The aircraft will replace New Zealand’s current fleet of six P-3K2 Orions and will be based at Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Ohakea.

navalnews

Japan in talks with New Zealand for C-2 P-1 aircraft

Japan is in negotiations with New Zealand to export the Self-Defense Forces' patrol and transport aircraft, in hopes of beating out U.S. and European competition to score its first large-scale arms contract.
The deal will also involve the maintenance of the planes, and is potentially worth billions of dollars. Tokyo in September provided unclassified information on the P-1 maritime patrol plane and C-2 transporter, both developed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, in response to Wellington's requests.
Representatives from Japan's defense ministry and Kawasaki Heavy are in New Zealand for negotiations. Japan could come up with a proposal in the first half of 2017 concerning the price, production process and maintenance of the planes. It will also consider jointly producing certain parts with New Zealand.
New Zealand will choose the winning bid as early as this summer out of a pool including American and European proposals. The Japanese government will also negotiate a treaty with New Zealand to allow the transfer of defense equipment and technology, a prerequisite to the potential deal.
The P-1, deployed by the Maritime SDF, was designed as a successor to the mainstay P-3C patrol aircraft. It can pick up even faint submarine signals through underwater sensors, and is also known to be fuel efficient and extremely quiet.
The bidding "will be a one-on-one fight with Boeing's P-8 patrol plane," a Japanese official said.
The C-2, meanwhile, can carry heavy loads over long distances. It was first delivered to the Air SDF in June 2016, with plans for deployment this March. The aircraft shares the same parts in the wing and other areas with the P-1, which will allow New Zealand to save money if it adopts both models. Airbus and several other companies are considered Japan's main rivals for the transporters.
The Japanese government adopted three principles on the transfer of defense equipment and technology in April 2014, greatly relaxing the requirements for arms exports. But it has done little under the new rules. Japan was outbid by France on Australia's new fleet of submarines in April, and lost a bid on anti-submarine patrol aircraft for the U.K. to the U.S. in November 2015.
nikkei

Five C-17As Still for Sale

Boeing still has five C-17A for sale following confirmation that the Royal Australian Air Force would take another two.
In addition to the Australia pair, Canada has purchased one aircraft and two have been sold to an undisclosed customer in the Middle East.
New Zealand is another country linked to a potential C-17 purchase, having recently launched its Future Air Mobility Capability program to replace its 50-year-old Lockheed Hercules fleet.
defensenews

Airbus launches A400M media campaign in New Zealand

Airbus has launched a campaign to make New Zealanders aware of what it has to offer the Royal NZ Air Force to replace its ageing Hercules.
Airbus is taking out a series of adverts in press for its A400M plane it hopes to pitch when tenders are sought. Adverts highlight the plane's capabilities ahead of what is shaping up as an intense, high-stakes battle between manufacturers when the RNZAF seeks tenders to replace five Hercules, now more than 50 years old. The two air force Boeing 757s are also due for replacement early next decade.
New Zealand politicians have already flown on a jet-engine powered Boeing C-17 Globemaster used in Australia, seen by some analysts as having the inside running to replace the Hercules. Airbus says its advertising campaign is aimed at letting the public know there are alternatives.
nzherald

Airbus Eyes New Zealand as New A400M Customer in 2015

Airbus Defense & Space, said that they expect an export order for the A400M airlifter by the end of the year — the first since Malaysia signed for four aircraft in December 2005.
An A400M from the French Air Force was present at the 2015 Australian International Air Show.
The aircraft arrived at Avalon direct from Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and was heading to Noumea in French New Caledonia at the conclusion of the show.
The A400M had flown in excess of 24 flying hours to Southern Australia without requiring anything more than routine maintenance along the way eyeing New Zealand:
"Our message to New Zealand is, with A400M you can cover all of the strategic requirements, which is mainly their Antarctic service" he said. "And at the same time, with the tactical capability of this aircraft, you can land on many of the various islands north of New Zealand, you can begin replacing, or sorting out your aging C-130 issues."
10 A400Ms have been delivered to the air forces of France, Germany, Turkey and the United Kingdom to date, with the first aircraft for the Royal Malaysian Air Force due to be handed overMarch.
defensenews

Royal New Zealand Air Force to Upgrade P-3K Orion

The New Zealand Ministry of Defence has revealed the total cost of the seven-year project is projected to be $332.3 million.
The P-3K Orion Upgrade Project would finish halfway through this year with only a software upgrade to go.
Equipment such as computers, mission systems, radar systems, wiring and antennas had been upgraded.
"The configuration of the aeroplane it was quite modern compared to some P3s in the world, but the computing power that was put in the original upgrade back in the 80s/90s was about the power of a commodore 64."
The planes were first introduced into service in 1965.
radionz

First RNZAF T-6Cs Touch Down

The first two Beechcraft T-6C Texan II trainers for the Royal New Zealand Air Force touched down at Whenuapai, RNZAF Base Auckland this week .
The two aircraft will be formally handed over to the RNZAF in October after intial pilot and maintenance training is completed. To be based at Ohakea, all 11 T-6Cs on order are due to be delivered by June 2015, allowing the first RNZAF pilot training course on the aircaft to begin in early 2016.
defense-studies

Airbus has delivered to New Zealand NH90 Fleet

Airbus Helicopters has finished retrofitting 4 NH90-TTH helicopters, bringing all 8 of New Zealand’s machines up to final configuration standard. The last 4 were delivered to that standard, but work was conducted on the first 4 at the RNZAF operational base in Ohakea, NZ, from September 2013 to the present.
defenseindustrydaily

First Royal New Zealand Air Force Beechcraft T-6C Takes Flight

The first RNZAF Beechcraft T-6C advanced trainer has made its first flight from Beechcraft’s Wichita facility in Kansas on June 10.
The aircraft – NZ1401 – made the flight with a Beechcraft company crew at the controls and lasted two hours, and functionality checks such as flight performance and handling characteristics were conducted. It will carry the US civil registration of N2824B while the initial flight test program is completed.
New Zealand ordered 11 T-6Cs in January to replace CT-4E trainers in the basic course, and elements of the advanced course currently conducted by the King Air. The first six RNZAF Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs) are due to commence their conversion to the T-6C in August, and the first four aircraft will be delivered by the end of this year.
The aircraft will be based at Ohakea, and will commence pilot training in mid-2015 by which time all 11 aircraft will have been delivered.
defense-studies

RNZAF Orders Beechcraft T-6C to Replace King Air

On January 24,New Zealand Secretary of Defence and President of Beechcraft signed a contract to replace the existing Beech King Air aircraft with the T-6 trainer aircraft.
The first two new T-6 trainer aircraft are due to arrive in New Zealand later this year.
defense-studies

A400M and C295W to be pitched to NZ

The eventual retirement of the RNZAF’s C-130Hs will see Airbus Military pitch the A400M and newly-launched C295W to the New Zealand government.
Announced at its annual briefing to trade media, Airbus Military said while it views New Zealand as a longer-term proposition, it is confident the two aircraft could fill the gap to be left by the ultimate retirement of the RNZAF’s five C-130Hs and indeed enhance the nation’s airlift capabilities.
australianaviation

New Zealand NH90s hit initial capability

The Royal New Zealand Air Force's fleet of NH Industries NH90 medium utility helicopters has cleared the first phase of operational testing and evaluation activities, enabling the type to undertake its first operational taskings for the service.

flightglobal

Tenders Sought for New Zealand Pilot Training Aircraft

Tenders are about to be sought for a new military pilot training capability says New Zealand's Defence Minister.
Pilot training is currently conducted using the single engine CT-4E Air trainers for the primary stage and the twin engine turbo-prop King Air B200s for the advanced stage of the “Wings Course”.

defencetalk

RNZAF leases four King Air B200s for training and transport

New Zealand has leased four King Air B200 aircraft from Hawker Pacific New Zealand for use as trainers and transports.

learn more

RNZAF welcomes Next Two NH90 Helicopters

Two new multi-role NH90 helicopters, which will be used to conduct military, disaster relief, and search and rescue operations, arrived at Base Ohakea on 1 October 2012. The Air Force has purchased eight NH90 helicopters to replace the Iroquois helicopters that have been in service for 45 years


learn more

Nueva Zelanda desvela planes para sustituir P-3 Orion y C-130 Hércules/New Zealand outlines plans to replace P-3Cs and C-130s

Nueva Zelanda aspira a sustituir sus Lockheed Martin P-3C Orion y C-130H Hercules dentro de los próximos quince años, según revela su documento estratégico de defensa recientemente publicado.
Los P-3C de patrulla marítima están siendo modernizados, se les están instalando medidas antiprotección y sensores antisubmarinos. También se están modernizando los cinco C-130H.
flightglobal
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New Zealand aims to replace its Lockheed Martin P-3C Orion and C-130H Hercules aircraft within the next 15 years as part of a new defence strategy.
A programme to upgrade the Royal New Zealand Air Force's P-3C maritime patrol aircraft will continue, and the aircraft could be fitted with self-protection equipment and anti-submarine sensors.
While the air force will also continue upgrading its five C-130H.
flightglobal

Nueva Zelanda recibe primer Hércules modernizado/ Upgraded Hercules Returns to New Zealand

La Real Fuerza Aérea de Nueva Zelanda ha recibido el primer C-130 Hercules modernizado, en una ceremonia celebrada en la base que la RNZAF tiene en Auckland. El avión empezará a ser evaluado en breve.
Los cinco C-130 Hercules de la RNZAF están siendo modernizados con pantallas de cristl líquido, mejoras en navegación y comunicaciones, reforzamiento alar, y reemplazo del 98% del cableado.
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The Royal New Zealand Air Force today welcomed the return of the first of its C-130 Hercules aircraft to have undergone the Life Extension Programme (LEP).
During a short ceremony at Air Force Base Auckland, the aircraft was provisionally accepted by the Air Force from the Ministry of Defence, to commence Operational Testing and Evaluation (OT&E). This enables the crews to develop and exploit the capabilities of the new systems leading to optimal use of the aircraft when tasked to support government requirements.
The Air Force’s five C-130 Hercules are undergoing an upgrade that includes a new glass cockpit, upgraded navigational capability, an advanced communication suite, a centre wing refurbishment, a new self protection suite and replacement of 98 percent of its original wiring. The upgrades will enhance the ability to meet the varied and demanding tasks required of the aircraft
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Nueva Zelanda cancela participación en maniobras aéreas internacionales por falta de aeronaves/ New Zealand’s air force struggles

La prensa de Nueva Zelanda informa que la Real Fuerza Aérea de Nueva Zelanda (RNZAF) ha tenido que cancelar su participación en dos grandes ejercicios en el exterior debido a que carece de suficientes aeronaves en estado operativo.
Según el Ministro de Defensa, los retrasos en la modernización de los C-130 Hercules y P-3 Orion, provocan que no haya posibilidad de participar en el Maple Leaf de Canadá o el Green Flag en Estados Unidos. Nueva Zelanda solo puede volar en dos Hércules, de un total de cinco en la flota.
A principios de este año, se canceló un vuelo de un Boeing 757 de la RNZAF al Reino Unido para participar en una exhibición, por razones operativas.
key.Aero
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The New Zealand Herald reports that the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) has had to cancel its participation in two major overseas exercises this year because of a lack of serviceable aeroplanes.
Defence Minister Wayne Mapp confirmed on a radio interview that operational requirements were paramount and delays in upgrading work on C-130 Hercules and P-3 Orion aircraft meant there were “none to spare” for Exercise Maple Leaf in Canada and Exercise Green Flag in the US, citing the example that the air force could only call on two of its Hercules from a fleet of five.
Earlier this year a planned trip to the UK by a RNZAF Boeing 757 was cancelled due to operational commitments, meaning displays could not be made at the Biggin Hill International Air Fair and RAF Waddington’s International Airshow.
key.Aero

Nueva Zelanda busca comprar tres aviones militares de tamaño medio/ New Zealand seeks three new military transports

Nueva Zelanda tiene planes para la compra de pequeños aviones de turbohélice para misiones de patrulla marítima y transporte militar. Nueva Zelanda utiliza Lockheed Martin C-130H para transporte y Lockheed P-3K Orion de patrulla marítima pero el Ministerio de Defensa está pensando en comprar aviones mas pequeños para determinadas misiones. Nueva Zelanda operaba aviones mas pequeños, pero retiró los Fokker F27 de patrulla marítima en los últimos años ochenta y los Hawker Siddeley Andover de transporte en los noventa.
Los tres aviones deberán realizar misiones de vigilancia marítima en el Pacífico Sur y prestar ayuda humanitaria a los países de su entorno ante catástrofes naturales.
Los competidores son el Airbus Military CN-235 y el Bombardier Dash 8 Q300. El Alenia Aeronautica ATR 42MP no ha sido tenido en cuenta.
Air New Zealand ya opera el Q300, por lo que podría ocuparse de su mantenimiento si es elegido, como ya hizo con los F27.
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New Zealand plans to purchase smaller turboprop aircraft for maritime surveillance and military transport applications. New Zealand's air force has been using Lockheed Martin C-130Hs for transport and Lockheed P-3K Orions for maritime patrol but now Ministry of Defence is thinking in having a smaller aircraft for some missions.
New Zealand used to operate smaller aircraft for such missions, but phased out its Fokker F27 maritime patrol aircraft in the late 1980s and its Hawker Siddeley Andover transports in the 1990s.
The three aircraft it now plans to purchase must be able to perform transport and maritime surveillance work in the South Pacific. New Zealand is often called on by its poorer neighbours to help with disaster relief and humanitarian aid.
The two aircraft types in contention are the Airbus Military CN-235 and the Bombardier Dash 8 Q300. The Alenia Aeronautica ATR 42MP has not been considered
Air New Zealand's subsidiary Air Nelson already operates Q300s, so it could help maintain the type for the air force, in the same way that Air New Zealand once maintained the air force's F27s.
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