A six-year lease-to-buy deal to acquire replacement strategic transport aircraft for the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) has been signed, and the livery for the new aircraft has been unveiled.

Chief of Defence Force, Air Marshal Tony Davies, recently signed the arrangement to purchase two new Airbus A321XLR aircraft from US-based Air Lease Corporation.

The aircraft will replace the two Boeing 757s which are used primarily to transport military personnel and equipment quickly over long distances, including for various deployments, disaster relief operations throughout New Zealand and the Pacific, and as well as diplomatic and trade missions.

The new aircraft can travel further, are more fuel efficient and will be able to accommodate around 120 passengers and 9,100 kilograms of cargo.

The livery for the new aircraft has been designed to match the RNZAF’s current livery. A range of options were considered before settling on the grey with a prominent kiwi roundel, sending a clear signal that they are military aircraft and are also instantly recognisable as being from New Zealand, no matter the environment.

Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb, says that the new aircraft will play a key role in ensuring the Air Force fleet can deliver on Government tasks around the world, and they will also maintain the highest levels of interoperability and dependability.

“Strategic air transport plays a vital role for a country like New Zealand – responding to events of any description, whether humanitarian recovery, defence personnel deployments or important trade delegations will continue to enhance New Zealand’s interest.

“The extra-long-range capability of the Airbus A321XLR will also improve our ability to conduct key missions to Antarctica with greater safety and surety.”

The Airbus A321XLR fleet will be based at RNZAF Base Auckland and operated by No. 40 Squadron.

As they are a commercial off-the-shelf purchase, they will be fitted out and ready to operate soon after arrival in 2028.

Overall the project has capital costs of $620 million and four-year operating costs of $80.86 million.