In “Japan selling its P-1 and C-2 military aircraft to NZ at low prices?” of January 110, 2017 I wrote that:
![]()
![]()
“I think New Zealand (NZ) plays it safe and traditional in its military hardware buying patterns. This will work against Japan's: P-1 MPAs. Instead, I think NZ buying
4 x P-8 Poseidon MPAs is more likely.”
4 x P-8 Poseidon MPAs is more likely.”
The prediction of 4 x P-8s seems to be working out.
I don’t know if the US Government ordinarily publishes documents like this on the US Government’s decision to clear the possible sale to New Zealand of 4 x P-8 PoseidonMPAs.
New Zealand has not yet decided which MPA it will buy in coming years given there are competing offers of the Airbus DS C295 and Japanese Kawasaki P-1.
New Zealand sees the P-8 as expensive and seems to want to bargain down the price. One way to do this is for NZ to buy the P-8s with a bargain from the same company (Boeing) on long range transport/VIP aircraft. The Royal NZ Air Force (RNZAF) is currently using 2 x Boeing 757s due for replacement in 2020.
As commentedon 12/1/17 2:25 PM [in a discussion of NZ Hercules replacement that may also apply to 757 replacement] "There may be an essential requirement for NZ's Transport aircraft to have the safe range to fly from Christchurch (NZ) to NZ's Scott (Antarctic) Base https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Baseand Back unrefueled....So a range of at least 8,000 km and probably 9,000 km or more (headwinds, circling times, need to fly to alternate airports/ice landing zones) might be necessary."
So a NZ purchase from Boeing–US may be in a package of:
- 4 x P-8s (for delivery in 2026) with at least
- 2 Boeing price reduced (new or used) 777-200ERs(for delivery earlier in 2021).
The Australian Air Force has bought P-8s (note the little Kangaroo decal on the P-8) increasing the likelyhood ally and neighbour New Zealand will do likewise (with a Kiwi decal). (Photo courtesy Boeing via Australian Aviation magazine).
---
One of RNZAF's two transport/VIP 757s on ice in Antarctica - in need of replacing around 2020. (Photo courtesy NZ military).
---
Pete