Defence has welcomed the first of five new C-130J-30 Hercules aircraft to New Zealand, at an official ceremony at RNZAF Base Auckland attended by Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins KC.
Ms Collins said the arrival of the first Hercules was a historic milestone for New Zealand and the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF).
“The new Hercules aircraft will be a mission critical capability for Defence and a national asset. The new fleet can fly faster, travel further and carry more cargo and people than the existing one – which is hardly surprising, given it is nearly 60 years old,” Ms Collins said.
The arrival of the first aircraft has been more than four years in the making.
An integrated project team, led by the Ministry of Defence and including NZDF personnel, has worked with Lockheed Martin and the United States Air Force to deliver the new fleet.
The $1.521 billion project is also delivering a full-motion flight simulator, spare parts, and training for the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s No. 40 Squadron who will operate the fleet.
The C-130J-30 type is operated by a number of New Zealand’s defence partners, including the United States, Canada, Germany, France and Australia.
At the welcome ceremony, Secretary of Defence Brook Barrington said the new Hercules fleet ensures we will be able to work seamlessly with international partners on coalition operations.
“Back in 2020, the decision to acquire the new Hercules came with a commitment to remain in-step, or interoperable as we call it in Defence, with our international partners, as the aircraft evolves,” he said.
The remainder of the fleet is scheduled to touchdown in New Zealand by the end of the year.
Caption: From left Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Tony Davies, Minister of Defence Judith Collins KC, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters and Secretary of Defence Brook Barrington
