New Zealand C-130J procurement approved by US government

New Zealand has been cleared to buy five Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules transport aircraft for an estimated USD1.4 billion.

New Zealand is set to procure five C-130J aircraft to replace the C-130Hs (pictured) it has flown since 1965. (New Zealand Defence Force)

The potential sale, which was approved by the US State Department on 20 November, covers five of the latest-variant Hercules airlifters, as well as spares, related equipment including Wescam MX-20HD electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor turrets, defensive aids, training and support.

“The proposed sale will improve New Zealand's capability to meet current and future threats by enhancing its current airlift capability. [It] will provide the capability to support national, United Nations, and other coalition operations. This purchase also includes sensors and performance improvements that will assist New Zealand during extensive maritime surveillance and reconnaissance as well as improve its search and rescue capability. Additionally, the extra cargo capacity and aircraft performance will greatly increase New Zealand's Antarctic mission capabilities while simultaneously increasing safety margins,” the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in its notification to Congress.

The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) currently operates five C-130H aircraft that have been in service since the mid-1960s, as well as a pair of Boeing 757 airliners from 2003. The 757s are flown in the passenger and palletised-cargo transport role.

The proposed C-130J sale must now be approved by the US Congress before a contract can be signed off.