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The existing fleet of Hercules planes is more than 50 years old and breakdowns have hampered some high-profile missions.
New Zealand’s military said on Friday that it would buy five Super Hercules transport planes from United States manufacturer Lockheed Martin for $1bn.
The planes will replace the military’s existing fleet of Hercules planes, all of which are more than 50 years old and have been involved in a series of embarrassing breakdowns in recent years.
Defence Minister Ron Mark said the new planes would be used for operations in New Zealand, the South Pacific and Antarctica.
“Generations of New Zealanders have grown up and grown old with the Hercules, and they know these aircraft are an essential first line of response,” Mark said in a statement.
He said the new planes would be able to carry a bigger payload as well as travel farther and faster than the current fleet.
Three of the nation’s current C-130 Hercules planes date back to 1965 and the other two to 1969. They have been upgraded over the years, but frequent breakdowns have hampered some high-profile missions. At one point last year, the entire fleet was temporarily grounded.
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New Zealand military buys five Lockheed C-130 Hercules planes for $1bn
The existing fleet of Hercules planes is more than 50 years old and breakdowns have hampered some high-profile missions.
New Zealand’s military said on Friday that it would buy five Super Hercules transport planes from United States manufacturer Lockheed Martin for $1bn.
The planes will replace the military’s existing fleet of Hercules planes, all of which are more than 50 years old and have been involved in a series of embarrassing breakdowns in recent years.
Defence Minister Ron Mark said the new planes would be used for operations in New Zealand, the South Pacific and Antarctica.
“Generations of New Zealanders have grown up and grown old with the Hercules, and they know these aircraft are an essential first line of response,” Mark said in a statement.
He said the new planes would be able to carry a bigger payload as well as travel farther and faster than the current fleet.
Three of the nation’s current C-130 Hercules planes date back to 1965 and the other two to 1969. They have been upgraded over the years, but frequent breakdowns have hampered some high-profile missions. At one point last year, the entire fleet was temporarily grounded.
Read full article...
New Zealand military buys five Lockheed C-130 Hercules planes for $1bn
