Defence

By Siva Govindasamy in Singapore

Wellington to buy eight NHI helicopters and Sioux replacement choice expected soon

New Zealand has signed a deal to buy eight NH Industries (NHI) NH90 helicopters to replace the Royal New Zealand Air Force's 14 remaining Bell UH-1 Iroquois.

Under the terms of the NZ$771 million ($476 million) contract, which includes logistics, support and training services, the first helicopter will be delivered in 2010 and the air force's fleet is expected to be fully operational by 2013, says New Zealand defence minister Phil Goff.

The defence ministry says the helicopters will be manufactured in France. New Zealand had been holding discussions with NHI and Eurocopter subsidiary Australian Aerospace over the possibility of assembling the aircraft in Australia, which has also bought NH90s.

Logistics support arrangements could include Australian Aerospace, in addition to New Zealand companies, but this has not been confirmed, says the defence ministry. "There is scope for discussions with Australia over training and maintenance, but this has not been finalised yet," the ministry adds.

The helicopter purchase is the last of the core-capability projects under the country's 10-year long- term development plan, in which NZ$3.3 billion has been invested to revamp the armed forces.

A decision on the replacement for the air force's Bell Sioux helicopters is expected later this year. It is looking for four to eight helicopters with a range of 145km (80nm) with a 50km reserve. Options being considered include the AgustaWestland A109/A119, Bell 407 and Eurocopter EC130/EC135.