Defence Force’s new helicopters arrive
The first of the Defence Force’s new NH90 helicopters arrived in Wellington today.
Eight medium utility NH90 helicopters will eventually replace the Defence Force’s 12 aging Iroquois, which have been in use for more than 40 years.
The arrival comes after the Vice Chief of the Defence Force, Rear Admiral Jack Steer, told a parliamentary select committee yesterday that morale in the force had slumped to its lowest-ever level amid redundancies and reforms.
About 300 uniformed staff have been made redundant and 100 rehired as civilians as the Defence Force looks to save $355 million by 2014/15.
Rear Admiral Steer told the committee yesterday that the arrival of the NH90 helicopters embodied the modern capability the defence force needed and that the civilianisation process and savings programme was able to bring about.
“They need to see the positive. They have experienced the pain, they need to see the reward as well,” he said.
Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman today said the helicopters would be the most advanced and capable the air force had ever had.
“The NH90s will considerably improve the Defence Force’s ability to conduct military, counter-terrorism, disaster relief, search and rescue, and other operations,” he said.
“We are delighted to have the NH90 helicopters as part of our new fleet. They are an important part of the Defence Force of the future.”
Dr Coleman said the arrival illustrated the Government was delivering on its plan to reprioritise resources to provide up-to-date capability for a 21st century military.
“The NH90 is an outstanding example of the modernisation process so far,” he said.
A total of eight NH90s have been purchased for operations, with a ninth to be used for parts, at a cost of $771m.
The first two helicopters have arrived for training purposes and the full fleet, to be based at Ohakea air base, would be delivered by late 2013.
Limited operations will begin from late next year, with full operations expected in 2015 once testing and evaluations were complete.
The twin-engine NH90s can carry up to 18 passengers and lift up to 3200kg or an army light operational vehicle.
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