New Zealand Maritime Helicopter Compeition
 

The Kiwis are looking for replacement of their Kaman SH-2G Seasprites

https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023...leet.%E2%80%9D



...

Anyhow see Leonardo are marketing the Wildcat as a contender

https://verticalmag.com/press-releas...r-replacement/

and in the last 24 hours Leonardo and local suppliers in country have signed a MoU

https://defsec.net.nz/2024/03/20/leo...me-helicopter/

Any thoughts or will the Kiwis probably go the way of their neighbours - and purchase the Romeo Hawk?

cheers

Funny looking kiwi....:rolleyes:

Jack

I speak as a Kiwi, but the NZ government will list endless requirements and then pick the cheapest because it always comes down to affordability. Bid any platform you like, but be aware its a price competition.

Oops! I nearly repeated Post #2 but then remembered what you did for a living....:D

Jack

If the Kiwis are looking for a buyer for the SeaSprites, I believe Australia is in the market for another badly managed helicopter purchase.

They'll buy something French.

It's like when you go out and are determined not to drink, and end up dancing the lambada with Doris from the office after 15 tequila's. The Aussie's always set out with the best of intentions and wake up next to a french salesman holding a signed contract.

Or a US salesman, or Spanish, or British, or German, or Italian, or Swiss... etc: Just look at the diversity of ADF purchases over recent decades. Some have been successful by all accounts. Others not so. Don't think country of salesman has much to do with the outcome.

A military truism

"Any serviceman going into action knows that his weapon was supplied by the lowest bidder!"

chopper2004

May wish to read up on which roundel belongs to which country :)

Last time I looked we didnt have kangaroos here in NZ

Oops, corrected ta,

cheers

Apparently there are over a million Wallabies in NZ versus ~ 70 thousand Kiwi so maybe someone knows something?

Glad you spotted Post #2....:D

Jack

The Kiwi's are too smart to buy an unproven design, they'll get something off the shelf and leave the Aussies and Canadians to buy a "We want one like they've got, but we want to change everything about it..."

And last time I looked, the kangaroo didn't face backwards on the RAAF rounded either, regardless which side it was applied to.

I flew SH-2Fs. I wish I could have flown SH-2Gs.

NH90 offered
 

NH(0 being offered

https://x.com/sweeneygov/status/1788064901170369021


https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images...moN_bigger.jpg
Tim Fish
@sweeneygov
Confirmed
@AirbusHeli
to offer NFH NH90 for
@NZNavy
Maritime Helicopter Replacement (MHR) programme replacing Seasprite. Romain Trapp, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, Customers Support + Services stated NFH has best capability + value for money.
@NZAirForce
already operates NH90 TTH.

cheers

Might need to have a word with the Dutch Navy as to how successful that might be?