New Zealand to spend NZ$2 billion on new maritime helicopters

5/5/2025 11:40

The New Zealand government said on Sunday it had set aside NZ$2 billion ($1.19 billion) in its upcoming budget to replace the Defence Force’s aging maritime helicopters, as global tensions increase.



Along with money for the helicopters, the government said it would increase baseline spending by NZ$239 million for the Defence Force each year over the next four years.



New Zealand Minister of Defence Judith Collins said in a statement, "It is very clear that New Zealand is not immune from the increasing tensions being felt throughout the world."



She added, "(This) sets us on our path for defence spending to reach 2% of GDP by 2032-33."



New Zealand's Defence Force has struggled with systemic underspending over the past several decades, which amounts to just over 1% of GDP now. In April, the government said it would boost defence spending with NZ$9 billion of new funding over the next four years.