Washington has authorized a proposed $1.5 billion defense package for New Zealand that includes MH-60R helicopters and related military equipment, the US government announced on Friday.
The US State Department said the acquisition would bolster New Zealand’s ability to counter present and future threats while enhancing the security of key infrastructure assets. The additional capability is expected to support the nation’s overall homeland defense requirements.
Separately, the department approved a potential $69 million sale of MK 54 torpedoes for the New Zealand military. The proposed transactions have been forwarded to the US Congress for review and must receive congressional approval before they can proceed.
