New Zealand seeks industry input for maritime helicopters, drones

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand’s military issued a request for information on April 24 for naval helicopters and aerial drones to replace the eight Kaman SH-2G(I) Seasprites operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy .

The Defence Force’s 2019 annual report said the country will replace its maritime helicopter fleet by 2027 in order to prevent “a capability gap arising from the end of service life of the Seasprite fleet.”

In November 2021, an “opportunities workshop” for the Maritime Helicopter Replacement Project mentioned a planned withdrawal of the SH-2G(I) Seasprite helicopter in 2028.

The newly released RFI mentions deliveries to the Navy from mid-2027.

According to the military’s 2019 Defence Capability Plan, the replacement program would cost more than NZ$1 billion (U.S. $616 million).

The tender closes June 21, 2023, and does not provide further information on the uncrewed aerial systems sought by the military.

The Seasprite is able to operate from the Navy’s two frigates, the sealift ship Canterbury, the tanker Aotearoa and the two offshore patrol vessels. The helicopter’s weapons include Penguin anti-ship missiles and MK 46 torpedoes.

The 53-foot-long aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of 14,200 pounds. Potential replacement options are larger and heavier.

The Navy used Westland Wasp helicopters for more than 30 years until replacing that fleet with four SH-2F Seasprites in 1997. Five SH-2G Seasprites entered service in 2001, and the SH-2G(I) versions have flown with the force since 2015.

Nick Lee-Frampton is the New Zealand correspondent for Defense News.

新西兰惠灵顿——4月24日，新西兰军方发布了一份信息征询书，寻求海军直升机和无人机来替换新西兰皇家海军使用的8架卡曼SH-2G(I)“海精灵”直升机。

国防部 2019 年年度报告称，该国将在 2027 年前更换其海上直升机机队，以防止“海精灵机队服役期满后出现能力缺口”。

2021 年 11 月，海上直升机更换项目“机遇研讨会”提到计划于 2028 年退役 SH-2G(I) 海妖直升机。

新发布的RFI提到，从2027年中期开始向海军交付装备。

根据军方 2019 年国防能力计划，更换计划将耗资超过 10 亿新西兰元（6.16 亿美元）。

招标将于 2023 年 6 月 21 日截止，但并未提供有关军方寻求的无人驾驶航空系统的更多信息。

“海精灵”直升机可从海军的两艘护卫舰、“坎特伯雷”号海运舰、“奥特亚罗瓦”号油轮和两艘近海巡逻舰上起降。该直升机的武器包括“企鹅”反舰导弹和MK 46鱼雷。

这款长53英尺的飞机最大起飞重量为14200磅。潜在的替代机型更大更重。

海军使用韦斯特兰黄蜂直升机超过 30 年，直到 1997 年用四架 SH-2F 海妖直升机替换了该机队。五架 SH-2G 海妖直升机于 2001 年投入使用，而 SH-2G(I) 型直升机自 2015 年以来一直在海军服役。

Nick Lee-Frampton 是《国防新闻》驻新西兰记者。