Current Air Force Equipment
| Aircraft | Origin | Role | Entered Service | In Service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lockheed P-3K Orion | USA | Maritime patrol | 1966 | 6 | Operated by 5 SQN. Five were originally delivered in 1966 as P-3Bs. Another was purchased from the RAAF in 1985, following which all were upgraded to their current standard. Currently undergoing various mission system upgrades. Due for replacement in 2025. |
| Kaman SH-2G(NZ) Seasprite | USA | Anti Ship & Submarine Warfare | 2001 | 5 | Operated by 6 SQN. Although these are Navy aircraft and operated by Navy pilots, all Navy crew are trained by the RNZAF's 3 Squadron, and they are maintained by RNZAF personnel. Regularly operated from the navy frigates and multi-role vessel. Up to 11 SH-2I aircraft may be purchased from Australia. |
| Beechcraft B200 King Air | USA | Multi engine conversion training | 1998 | 5 | Operated by 42 SQN. Three were leased by the RNZAF in 1998, with a further two leased in 2000. Lease expires in 2012. |
| Boeing 757-200 | USA | Strategic air transport | 2003 | 2 | Operated by 40 SQN. Two were purchased from Transavia to replace the Boeing 727. |
| Lockheed C-130H(NZ) Hercules | USA | Tactical transport | 1965 | 5 | Operated by 40 SQN. Three were delivered in 1965, with a further two in 1969. Currently undergoing Life Extension Program (LEP). Due for replacement 2017. |
| Bell UH-1H Iroquois | USA | Light transport helicopter | 1966 | 13 | Operated by 3 SQN. Most operationally deployed aircraft. The RNZAF currently operates 13 Iroquois helicopters. Five UH-1D were delivered in 1966 and a nine UH-1H in 1970. A further UH-1H was delivered in 1976. The UH-1Ds were progressively upgraded to UH-1H standard during the mid 1970s. Two ex-US Army UH-1H attrition airframes were purchased in 1996. One has been brought into service. Two now in storage with the rest to be phased out after delivery of NH90. |
| Pacific Aerospace CT-4E Airtrainer | New Zealand | Basic trainers | 1998 | 12 | Operated by PTS & CFS. Were leased by the RNZAF in 1998 to serve as the air force's basic flying trainer. Replaced B model Airtrainer. The RNZAF is looking to replace these aircraft with either the Tucano or the Beechcraft Texan T-6 II. |
| Bell 47G Sioux | USA | Basic training helicopter | 1965 | 5 | The first helicopters to be flown by the RNZAF, six B47G-3B-1 were delivered in 1965. Seven B47G-3B-2 were purchased in 1968 and delivered during 1970. The five remaining Sioux in RNZAF service are all B47G-3B-2. These helicopters have been replaced by AW-109 since 2011. |
| Agusta A109LUH(NZ) Mako | Italy | Light Utility helicopter | 2011 | 3 | Operated by 3 SQN. Five on order with another three signaled to be purchased by the 2011 white paper. Helicopters will be delivered from 2011 to replace the Sioux. |
| NHI NH90 | France | Medium transport helicopter | Due 2011 | 4 (8) | Will be operated by 3 SQN. Eight on order. 2 delivered December 2011. Expected to be operational in 2012 to replace the UH-1H Iroquois. |
In addition a historic flight maintains airworthy Harvard (1) and Tiger Moth (1) trainers.
Read more about this topic: Royal New Zealand Air Force
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