News Story: Missiles to be tested at RIMPAC exercise

Penguin anti-ship missile firing from a Sea Hawk
helicopter (Image: Wiki Commons)

by Geoff Ziezulewicz

The U.S. and New Zealand are planning to show off missile systems during the massive Rim of the Pacific war game event that starts Thursday.

New Zealand's sea service plans to test launch a Penguin anti-ship missile from the Defense Force's new Seasprite helicopter, the New Zealand news site Newshub reports.

That helicopter deploys from the frigate Te Kaha. The Te Kaha is one of 45 ships and five submarines involved in the biennial RIMPAC exercise.

The Penguin is a helicopter-launched anti-ship missile originally developed by Norway, and further developed for use on LAMPS II helicopters and NATO allies.

Read the full story at SpaceDaily

NZ: NZDF Frigate Arrives in Pearl Harbor

The Royal New Zealand Navy frigate HMNZS Te Kaha has berthed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, ready to take part in the world’s largest international maritime exercise, Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2016.

The crew of 175 sailors and officers will head to sea with the more than 45 surface ships and five submarines involved in RIMPAC.

There are 26 nations are taking part in RIMPAC, contributing a total of 25,000 personnel. The New Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF) contribution is some 350 personnel across the three services of Navy, Army and Air Force.

It is great for Te Kaha to be representing the Navy and the NZ Defence Force, says her Commanding Officer, Commander (CDR) Steve Lenik.

News Story: New Zealand Replaces Old Seasprite Helicopters

Royal New Zealand Navy SH-2G (Image: Wiki Commons)

Nick Lee-Frampton

The New Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF) five Kaman SH-2G(NZ) Seasprite naval helicopters became officially retired Thursday. They will be replaced by eight newer model, SH-2G(I) helicopters.

April 21 will see the last flight of the NZ model when the remaining aircraft return from assisting the disaster relief recovery operation in Fiji. The SH-2G(NZ) aircraft have served with the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) since August 2001.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

Industry: New Zealand Defence Force commences SH-2G(I) simulator training

SH-2G(I) Full-Mission Flight Simulator (FMFS)

Wellington, New Zealand, November 17, 2015 - (NYSE: CAE; TSX: CAE) - Today at the New Zealand Defence Industry Association (NZDIA) annual forum, CAE announced it has commenced the provision of maintenance and support services on the New Zealand Defence Force's (NZDF) SH-2G(I) helicopter synthetic training devices. 

The NZDF recently recommissioned a SH-2G(I) Full-Mission Flight Simulator (FMFS), which was acquired as part of the acquisition of ten SH-2G(I) helicopters. Over the past year, CAE installed the SH-2G(I) FMFS as well as six SH-2G(I) part-task trainers at Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Base Auckland.  CAE New Zealand Pty Ltd, with initial assistance from its subcontractor Beca Applied Technologies Ltd, will provide on-site maintenance and support services for the next 15 years.

News Story: NZ Budget Down $10M; Appropriations Cut

By Nick Lee-Frampton

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand's budget for 2015/16 will include NZ $3.07 billion (US $2.24 billion) for the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), down $10 million from last year.

Almost $1.99 billion is going to the three armed services: The Army's budget rises 2.3 percent to $742 million, the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) receives 2 percent more with $759 million, and the Royal New Zealand Navy's budget increases 3.8 percent to $492 million.

Budget estimates reveal that all three services underspent last year; the Army by $11 million, the Air Force by $10 million and the Navy by $7 million.

The Ministry of Defence's budget for appropriations, however, has been substantially cut, from $414 million to $239 million. However, Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee says the ministry will receive new operating funding of $27 million over the next four years.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

Interview: (NZ) Rear Adm. Jack Steer

Change of Command Parade for HMNZS Te Kaha from
CDR Mathew Williams to CDR Jon Beadsmoore.
(Image: Wiki Commons)

By Nick Lee-Frampton

New Zealand's Chief of Navy

WELLINGTON — For a relatively small Navy, with just over 2,100 personnel, the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) covers a lot of sea, with even its offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) ranging from Antarctica to almost the equator. Women have served in the RNZN for decades, and it is expected that a woman will soon command one of the Navy's Anzac-class frigates.

Both frigates now have new and more powerful diesel engines, thanks to midlife upgrades, and a weapons upgrade that begins next year will arm them with the MBDA Sea Ceptor surface-to-air missile. The Navy's latest missile, though, is the anti-ship Penguin carried by the eight Kaman SH-2G(I) Seasprite helicopters currently being delivered.

The Navy's flagship is the amphibious support ship Canterbury, recently dispatched to provide the people of Vanuatu with humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

A replacement tanker needs to be ordered soon — the Ministry of Defence issued a request for tender for a "maritime sustainment vessel" in March — and will be helicopter-capable, unlike the present tanker.

New Zealand's next defense white paper, due this year, will likely provide an indication of what sort of platform could replace the Anzac frigates and, crucially, how many ships will be ordered. Three is definitely better than two for a viable combat force, argues Chief of Navy Rear Adm. Jack Steer.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

Industry: Kaman Announces New Zealand Acceptance of First SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite

BLOOMFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 1, 2014-- Kaman Corp. (NYSE:KAMN) today announced that the New Zealand Ministry of Defence (MoD) has accepted the first SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite helicopter for the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). Acceptance occurred at Kaman’s Bloomfield, Connecticut facility.

“We are pleased to have achieved this significant program milestone, which in addition to the acceptance of the first aircraft signifies acceptance of the aircraft design. This accomplishment was the result of significant effort and cooperation between Kaman, the MoD, and the NZDF,” stated Greg Steiner, President Kaman Aerospace Group.

Kaman and the MoD entered into a $120 million contract in May 2013 for the purchase of ten state-of-the-art Kaman SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite aircraft, spare parts, a full mission flight simulator, and related logistics support. Additional aircraft are scheduled to be accepted by the MoD in the next few weeks. The first three aircraft are projected to arrive in Auckland in early 2015 with the remaining deliveries of helicopters and equipment expected to occur by the end of 2015.

The SH-2G Super Seasprite is an advanced maritime weapon system and proven day/night/all-weather multi-mission helicopter. Originally designed to meet the exacting requirements of the U.S. Navy, the SH-2G Super Seasprite has the highest power-to-weight ratio of any maritime helicopter, assuring a safe return-to-ship capability even in single-engine flight conditions. Its robust design, outstanding stability, and excellent reliability have been proven through more than 1.5 million flight hours. The SH-2G is a multi-mission maritime weapon system designed to fulfill anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), over the horizon targeting, surveillance, troop transport, vertical replenishment, search and rescue, and utility missions. It is the largest, most powerful small ship helicopter in use today and is recognized for its mission effectiveness, support, and unmatched performance. The SH-2G Super Seasprite is currently operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy, the Egyptian Air Force and the Polish Navy.

Kaman

News Story: New Zealand Defence Force Grows

By NICK LEE-FRAMPTON

WELLINGTON — Uniformed members of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) have grown to 9,035 sailors, soldiers and airmen and women, up from 8,504 in June 2013, according to an NZDF annual report. The Defence Force currently has 14,116 military and civilian staff, its highest staffing levels since 2011.

Attrition is toppling, particularly in the Navy, where attrition has fallen from almost 16 percent in June 2013 to less than 8 percent today. This is the lowest attrition rate in the Navy’s modern history, according to the report.

Nevertheless, a continuing shortage of experienced personnel in key areas meant the Navy’s two offshore patrol vessels were prioritized over the four inshore patrol vessels in terms of crewing.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

Industry: CAE awarded contracts to support New Zealand Defence Force SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite synthetic training devices

RNZAF SH-2G Super Seasprite
(Wiki Info - Image: Wiki Commons)

Wellington, New Zealand, October 21, 2014 - (NYSE: CAE; TSX: CAE) - Today at the New Zealand Defence Industry Association (NZDIA) annual forum, CAE announced it has been awarded contracts by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) to support its SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite helicopter synthetic training devices.

Under terms of the contracts, CAE will perform updates to an existing SH-2G(I) Full Mission Flight Simulator (FMFS) and SH-2G(I) Part Task Trainer (PTT) that the NZDF is acquiring as part of a comprehensive acquisition of ten SH-2G(I) helicopters from Kaman Corporation. Following delivery of the SH-2G(I) synthetic training devices to Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Base Auckland in Whenuapai, CAE will provide through-life support and maintenance services for 15 years.

NZ: World’s largest maritime exercise is underway

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says HMNZS Canterbury has arrived in Hawaii this morning as Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) gets underway.

“HMNZS Canterbury’s docking at Pearl Harbor marks the first time in 30 years since a New Zealand ship berthed at a US Naval Base for RIMPAC. It is a tangible sign of the warmth of our relationship with the US,” says Dr Coleman.

“RIMPAC is a unique opportunity for the NZDF to strengthen relationships and interoperability with a wide range of partners. For the next month, 23 countries will exercise a range of capabilities including disaster relief, maritime security operations, and complex warfighting.

“RIMPAC helps to develop co-operative approaches to regional security and maritime conduct. As a trading nation New Zealand appreciates the importance of maritime security.

Editorial: New Zealand Plans to Grow Combat Capabilities by 2020

By Ankit Panda

A new government document describes New Zealand’s short and longer term defense ambitions.

On Tuesday, New Zealand released its new Defense Capability Plan (DCP). The document outlines the country’s broad strategic priorities on defense matters. New Zealand Defense Minister Jonathan Coleman notes that the 2014 DCP reflects well on the New Zealand Defense Force’s (NZDF) capabilities. The 2014 DCP is a follow up to the 2011 document.

“The 2014 Defence Capability Plan describes the new equipment and assets that the NZDF will purchase over the next decade. It resets capability and investment priorities, and focuses on the NZDF’s ability to deliver joint operations, and grow combat and support capabilities,” noted Coleman. 

Read the full story at The Diplomat

News Story: New Zealand Details Military Projects, Capability Upgrades

By NICK LEE-FRAMPTON

WELLINGTON — New Zealand on Tuesday released its Defence Capability Plan (DCP), which calls for increasing the defense force’s “proficiency at joint operations and growing its combat, combat support and combat service support capabilities,” said Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman.

The DCP is the second such document since the 2010 Defence White Paper, and is not merely a list of projects, Coleman said.

Work has commenced to quantify the size of the defense force’s airlift requirements as a first step toward providing options for replacement of the Air Force’s C-130H Hercules and Boeing 757 fleets, between 2018 and 2025. This will require a significant investment, the new report said. All but one of the five Hercules have completed the type’s life extension program and the final aircraft is scheduled to be returned to service next year.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: New Zealand Boosts Defense Spending

ANZAC class Frigate; HMNZS Te Kaha (File Photo)

By NICK LEE-FRAMPTON

WELLINGTON — New Zealand Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman has announced the government will invest NZ $100.9 million (US $86 million) of operating funds in the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) in 2014/2015. Further details will be revealed when the budget is released May 15.

It is the first stage of an allocation of NZ $535.5 million in operating funds for the NZDF over the next four years, Coleman said.

“This … means the government is addressing the long-term funding gap which we inherited,” he said.

Although a lot of money had been spent ordering new kit, including new Seasprite SH-2G(I) naval helicopters, MAN Army trucks and a PT-6 pilot training package, Coleman said there is not enough funding to enable personnel to run them properly.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

Industry: Kaman New Zealand SH-2G(I) Achieves First Flight

BLOOMFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 15, 2014-- Kaman Aerospace announced today that the first New Zealand government NZ SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite helicopter began production flight testing at Kaman’s Bloomfield, Connecticut facility. After production flight tests, this aircraft will be used for maintenance and aircrew training. The program is on track with deliveries of all ten aircraft scheduled to be complete in mid-2015.

“This milestone is significant for the program and our continued commitment to the New Zealand Maritime Helicopter Capability project,” said Drake Klotzman, Kaman’s Director, AVMRO Programs.

Peter Lowen, New Zealand Defence Force Project Manager, stated, “This flight of a NZ SH-2G(I) with a ‘Kiwi’ roundel represents a major milestone. The effort invested by the Ministry of Defence and the New Zealand Defence Force in cooperation with Kaman is now paying off.”

Kaman Aerospace

Industry: New Zealand selects KONGSBERGs Penguin anti-ship missile

SH-2G Super Seasprite (Image: Wiki Commons)

KONGSBERG has signed a contract with the New Zealand Defence Force for the delivery of Penguin Mk 2 Mod 7 anti-ship missiles and associated equipment.

The missiles will be deployed on the Royal New Zealand Navy new Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite maritime helicopters.

”This contract strongly confirms the Penguin missile’s position as the leading missile within its segment. The contract is for a limited number of missiles, however it is considered an important upgrade of New Zealand’s navy,” says Pål Bratlie, EVP Kongsberg Defence Systems.

 

Kongsberg

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.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: Annual Report Shows Light at End of the Tunnel for NZDF

By NICK LEE-FRAMPTON

WELLINGTON — With only a small fleet of aircraft and relatively few warships, it was inevitable that upgrading all these platforms would have an impact on availability which, in its annual report for 2012-13, the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) acknowledges.

Indeed, although the hangar time of its five C-130H Hercules and six P-3 Orions and the systems upgrades to its two Anzac-class frigates have led, respectively, to reduced flying hours and days at sea, personnel shortages, especially in the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN), also have had an adverse effect.

However, as Chief of Defence Force Lt. Gen. Rhys Jones points out in his overview to the report, published last week, the past year marked “an important shift” in operational focus for the NZDF.

“Drawing down from our more than decadelong commitments to a number of high-intensity operations [including Afghanistan, the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste] is in turn allowing the NZDF to accelerate change, providing a greater focus on our region — the South West Pacific and South East Asia — and developing and introducing new capabilities as the NZDF moves towards an integrated Joint Force Amphibious Capability in 2015,” Jones writes.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: NZ Budget Holds Steady, Air Force Gains

RNZN Super Seasprite ASW Helicopter (Image: Wiki Commons)

By NICK LEE-FRAMPTON

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND — New Zealand’s spending on defense is little changed from the NZ $2.9 billion (then US $2.2 billion) for 2012-2013 to NZ $2.87 billion for 2013-2014.

The details, announced in the May 16 budget, include a marked reduction in spending on the Royal New Zealand Navy, a decrease in the Army’s budget and a modest increase for the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Funding for the Navy drops from NZ $662 million to just under NZ $600 million.

Spending on the Army falls from NZ $845 million to NZ $810 million while the Air Force enjoys a surge from NZ $790 million to just over NZ $803 million.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

Kaman Announces Contract with New Zealand for the Purchase of Ten SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite Aircraft

Super Seasprite (Wiki Info - Image: Wiki Commons)

BLOOMFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May. 8, 2013-- Kaman Corp. (NYSE:KAMN) today announced that its subsidiary, Kaman Aerospace Corporation (Kaman), has entered into a $120 million contract with the New Zealand Ministry of Defence for the purchase of ten SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite aircraft, spare parts, a full mission flight simulator, and related logistics support.

The contract is consistent with the previously announced government authorization and calls for the aircraft to be delivered over an approximately three year period with revenue recognition beginning in 2013.

The SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite is an advanced integrated maritime weapon system and a proven day/night/all-weather multi-mission helicopter. Originally designed to meet the exacting requirements of the U.S. Navy, the SH-2G Super Seasprite has the highest power-to-weight ratio of any maritime helicopter, assuring a safe return-to-ship capability even in single-engine flight conditions. Its robust design, outstanding stability, and excellent reliability have been proven through more than 1.5 million flight hours. The SH-2G is a fully integrated, multi-mission maritime weapon system designed to fulfill anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), over the horizon targeting, surveillance, troop transport, vertical replenishment, search and rescue, and utility missions. It is the largest, most powerful small ship helicopter in use today and is recognized for its mission effectiveness, support, and unmatched performance. In addition to the Royal New Zealand Navy, the SH-2G Super Seasprite is operated by the Egyptian Air Force and the Polish Navy.

Kaman

Kaman Confirms SH-2G(I) Negotiations with New Zealand

SH-2G Super Seasprite NZ Navy

BLOOMFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun. 20, 2012-- (NYSE:KAMN) Kaman Corporation confirmed today that The U.S. Department of State has granted authorization that would permit the Company to negotiate a possible sale of SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite Helicopters to the Government of New Zealand. The potential sale would include eleven SH-2G(I) helicopters, a full motion flight simulator, training aids, spares inventory, publications and the introduction into service and through life support of the aircraft.

New Zealand officials have been working over the past year to determine the most effective way of meeting their future maritime helicopter requirements and the Cabinet has recently directed defence officials to engage in further discussions with Kaman.

The Kaman SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite is the latest version of the multi-mission maritime helicopter and would potentially replace the country’s existing fleet of SH-2G’s. These helicopters would significantly enhance New Zealand’s vertical lift capabilities with exceptional performance and low operating costs. Kaman continues to support the Ministry’s objective of extending the Naval Helicopter Capability through 2025. As stated in their Defence Capability Plan, this capability would fulfill a vital national role in the provision of extended reach, surveillance, and air-delivered weapons capability for the ANZAC frigates. These aircraft are also capable of operation from offshore patrol vessels, and the multi-role vessel when required to do so.

Negotiations regarding a potential program between the New Zealand Government and Kaman are in process and are confidential. No investment decisions have been made by New Zealand at this time and Kaman continues to work with other potential customers on the sale of the aircraft.

Kaman