Kiwis fly with Eurocopter

The government of New Zealand has placed a firm order with the

division of

for eight NH90 helicopters for the

(RNZAF).

The NH90 was selected by New Zealand in April 2005 as the replacement helicopter for the RNZAF's ageing Iroquois.

This additional order for the NH90 comes a few weeks after Australia officially announced an additional contract of 34 MRH90. The NH90 program, led by Eurocopter, now totals 400 firm orders, making it the biggest European helicopter programme ever launched.

The NH90 fleet operated by the RNZAF will perform military tasks, including peacekeeping operations, but will also provide support to operations conducted in conjunction with other national agencies. Functions include disaster relief, search and rescue, emergency medical service, police operations, fisheries surveillance, counterterrorism, pollution control and customs operations.