US approves Seahawk sale to New Zealand

New Zealand has said that it views the Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk as the preferred option to replace its existing maritime helicopters. (US Navy)

The US State Department has approved a possible USD1.5 billion sale of five Sikorsky (Lockheed Martin) MH-60R Seahawk helicopters to New Zealand under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) mechanism, the department said on 5 June.

The approval follows the New Zealand Ministry of Defence's (MoD's) determination in 2025 that the Seahawk was the “preferred option” to replace the New Zealand Defence Force's (NZDF's) maritime helicopter fleet. According to Janes World Air Forces, the NZDF operates five Kaman Super Seasprite SH-2G(I) helicopters for maritime operations.

The Seahawk package includes 225 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) missiles and 225 WGU-59A/B APKWS II guidance kits, 65 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles, and five 240D 7.62mm machine guns.

It also includes GAU-21 crew-served guns, M299 missile launchers, LAU-61 digital rocket launchers, and four M36E8 Hellfire captive air training missiles.

The helicopters will be equipped with T700-GE-401D engines, digital magnetic anomaly detection systems (MADS), Link 16 Multifunctional Information Distribution Systems Joint Tactical Radio Systems (MIDS-JTRS), and airborne low frequency sonar.

Other avionics include AN/AAS-44C(V) targeting systems, APS-153(V) radars, AN/ALQ-210 electronic support measures, AN/ARQ-59 Hawklink radio terminals, and AN/SSQ-53, -62, and -36 sonobuoys.

Additional equipment includes AN/ARC-210 RT-2036 radios, AN/AAR-47 missile warning systems, AN/APX-123 identification friend or foe (IFF) transponders, and AN/ALE-47 countermeasure dispensers.

Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems in Owego, New York, is the principal contractor.

Also on 5 June, the State Department approved a separate USD69 million sale to New Zealand covering 20 Mk 54 Mod 0 lightweight torpedo all‑up rounds and associated support.