By Stephen Wright 
 

WELLINGTON, New Zealand--The New Zealand government said it will purchase five Lockheed Martin C-130J aircraft to replace the air force's aging Hercules transport fleet.

The five Super Hercules aircraft will be delivered and operating by 2025 under a 1.52 billion New Zealand dollar ($980 million) contract that includes a mission flight simulator and other equipment, the government said Friday.

The U.S. State Department cleared the possible acquisition of the aircraft and related gear in November on the grounds it would improve the security of an ally and support U.S. foreign policy and national security.

New Zealand has an expansive maritime economic zone that is many times the size of the country and also claims territory in Antarctica where it has a research station. Its defense forces also provide humanitarian support, fisheries patrols and security in the South Pacific where China is increasingly vying for influence in small island nations.

New Zealand's current fleet of five Hercules aircraft were purchased in the 1960s. In recent years, the aging planes have suffered frequent breakdowns and become increasingly expensive to maintain.

The country is also replacing its Orion surveillance planes, in operation since the 1960s, with a fleet of long-range Boeing P-8 Poseidon aircraft that will be delivered from 2022.

Write to Stephen Wright at stephen.wright@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

June 04, 2020 20:14 ET (00:14 GMT)

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