News Story: Defense Minister - NZ Continues Fleet Upgrades, Commitment to Security

RNZAF Super Seasprite (Wiki Info - Image: Wiki Commons)

By NICK LEE-FRAMPTON

WELLINGTON — New Zealand’s defense minister on Nov. 13 gave local industry an update on the planned delivery of upgraded naval helicopters and other pending improvements to the country’s military fleets, citing these as a sign of the high value the government places on defense and international security.

Addressing the NZ Defence Industry Association forum here, Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman said the first three upgraded Kaman SH-2G(I) Seasprites are due to arrive in early 2015 from Connecticut, with the full complement of eight helicopters scheduled to be in Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) service during 2016. The NZ $242 million (US $199.2 million) contract with Kaman Aerospace for eight upgraded Seasprites and two spare airframes was signed in May.

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