Category : News
Author: Jonathan Milne

Analysis: The USS Buchanan was turned back. The USS Great Bridge was turned back. So what changed to allow warships like USS Blue Ridge into NZ?

Here’s one for the ship spotters. One of the biggest American warships ever to visit New Zealand sailed into Wellington on Friday morning.

Article: https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/05/16/how-the-grand-old-dame-of-the-us-navy-navigated-nzs-nuke-free-policy/
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Note from Nighthawk.NZ:

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Category : News
Author: Stuff

The US 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) has arrived in Wellington, marking its first visit to New Zealand and its capital city.

Article: https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360691054/us-navy-fleet-flagship-arrives-first-new-zealand-visit
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Note from Nighthawk.NZ:

 Not to be confused with the Blue Ridge Ferry.  wink

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Category : News
Author: Ministry of Defence

A VAMTAC ST5 prototype vehicle is scheduled to land in New Zealand shortly, following its transport from the UROVESA military vehicle factory in Galicia, Spain, on board one of the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s new Hercules C-130J-30 aircraft.

Article: https://defence.govt.nz/news/vamtac-vehicle-prototype-on-way-to-new-zealand/
Note from Nighthawk.NZ:

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Category : News
Author: Phil Pennington,

The Trump administration in the United States is cutting generals, while increasing spending to make its military more lethal. Should the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) do the same?

Article: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/560649/us-cuts-back-on-generals-to-boost-lethality-should-nzdf-follow-suit
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Note from Nighthawk.NZ:

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Category : Defence
Author: TVNZ

Defence Minister Judith Collins has clarified a new $957 million boost to the Defence Force is in addition to the previously announced $12 billion Defence Capability Plan.

Article: https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/05/04/budget-2025-over-2b-for-naval-helicopters-extra-957m-for-defence/
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Note from Nighthawk.NZ:

I am happy with the news, not happy with the number of air frames the Defence Minister said which is 5... they originally had 8 Seasprites across the fleet that was enough to have three air worthy (until age and spare parts hampered this) so why are starting off with five which is the number we have left in service now...

Two frigates, HMNZS Te Kaha, Te Mana, Aotearoa, Canterbury, Otago, Wellington  and remember Canterbury can operate multiple helo's also thinking of her replacement with a proper LPD or small LHD and the future SOPV is back on the table five is simply not enough.

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Category : News
Author: RNZ

The government has set aside $2 billion from this year's Budget to replace the navy's Seasprite helicopters, boosting their disaster response and aid capabilities.

Article: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/559866/defence-force-maritime-helicopters-to-be-replaced-at-cost-of-over-2-billion
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Note from Nighthawk.NZ:

I am happy with the news, not happy with the number of air frames the Defence Minister said which is 5... they originally had 8 Seasprites across the fleet that was enough to have three air worthy (until age and spare parts hampered this) so why are starting off with 5 which is the number we have left in service now...

Two frigates, HMNZS Te Kaha, Te Mana, Aotearoa, Canterbury, Otago, Wellington  and remember Canterbury can operate multiple helo's also thinking of her replacement with a proper LPD or small LHD and the future SOPV is back on the table five is simply not enough.

 

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