The US Department of State has given the green light for the New Zealand government to purchase MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters, and related equipment, in a $2.6 billion deal.
Former Defence Minister Judith Collins announced the plan to purchase five of the naval helicopters in August last year, with the intention of replacing the Defence Force’s Seasprite helicopters.
This proposed sale would support the foreign policy and national security of the US “by improving the security of a major ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Asia-Pacific region”, a statement from the State Department said on Saturday.
“The proposed sale will improve New Zealand’s capability to meet current and future warfare threats by providing greater security for its critical infrastructure.”
It said, the “principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems”, located in New York state.
