The State Department approved a possible $1.5 billion Foreign Military Sales (FMS) request to New Zealand for four P-8A aircraft and associated support.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the potential sale on Thursday.
The request includes four Boeing [BA] P-8A Patrol Aircraft which each includes commercial engines, Tactical Open Mission Software, Electro-Optical and Infrared MX-20HD, AN/AAQ-2(V)1 Acoustic System, AN/APY-10 Radar, and ALQ-240 Electronic Support Measures.
This sale also includes eight Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System; five Guardian Laser Transmitter Assemblies for the AN/AAQ-24(V)N; five System Processors for AN/AAQ-24(V)N; 30 AN/AAR-54 Missile Warning Sensors for the AN/AAQ-24(V)N; 10 LN-251 with Embedded Global Positioning Systems/Inertial Navigation Systems; support equipment; operation support systems; maintenance trainer/classrooms; publications; software, engineering, and logistics technical assistance; foreign Liaison officer support, contractor engineering technical services; repair and return; transportation; aircraft ferry; and other associated equipment and services.
New Zealand will use these aircraft and services to continue its Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) capability following the retirement of the country’s P-3K maritime patrol aircraft, DSCA said.
The agency also highlighted New Zealand has maintained a close MSA acquisition and sustainment relationship with the U.S. Navy for decades while this sale would allow the country to recapitalize, modernize, and sustain this capability for the next 30 years.
Implementation of the sale will require about five contractor representatives to support the program in New Zealand.