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Royal New Zealand Air Force to replace Boeing 757s
The New Zealand Ministry of Defence (MoD) has released a tender to market for proposals to replace the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s two Boeing 757s by the end of 2027.
The cost of maintaining and issues with reliability of the current fleet, alongside the competitiveness of the market for aircraft of this type, has meant the business case process has been fast tracked.
This procurement seeks to replace these aircraft with commercially available, off-the-shelf Boeing 737 Max 8 or Airbus A321 narrow-body aircraft.
The tender process is designed to select a preferred provider for the replacement of the B757 aircraft. The information provided will be used to inform the final business case for Cabinet consideration.
The tender process does not commit the Crown to any expenditure.
This work has been fast tracked ahead of the upcoming Defence Capability Plan. However, the final business case development will take into account any decisions made during this process.
Providing support of operations and deployments
Royal New Zealand Air Force’s No. 40 Squadron operates two Boeing 757-2K2 aircraft in passenger and freight roles.
The Boeing aircraft provide strategic airlift to carry personnel and equipment globally in support of operations and deployments. The aircraft are also used regularly for the carriage of VIPs as well as ministerial and trade missions around the world. They are crewed by two pilots and up to six cabin crew.
Two Boeing 757-200 were received in 2003. Modifications commencing in 2007 saw the aircraft fitted with an upper deck cargo door to facilitate an 11-pallet cargo capability, strengthened floor in order to carry large and heavy cargo, internal air stairs, upgraded engines and flight deck enhancements including full compliance with current global air navigation specifications and standards.
The service’s Boeing 757s have been recently used as part of New Zealand’s support to Vanuatu following a 7.3-magnitude earthquake.
P-8A Poseidon, Boeing 757, C-130J and C-130H Hercules aircraft were all involved in the response. Multiple flights to Vanuatu have delivered emergency responders and tonnes of search and rescue equipment and aid, while 93 New Zealanders and approved foreign nationals have been evacuated.
After delivering more than seven tonnes of aid, the Boeing 757 arrived in Auckland carrying 93 passengers, most of whom were New Zealanders and their families. Twelve approved foreign nationals were also on board.
Narrow-body, twin-engine jetliner
The Boeing 757 is a narrow-body, twin-engine jetliner designed for medium to long-haul flights. Known for its impressive performance, versatility, and fuel efficiency, the 757 has become a popular choice among airlines for both domestic and international routes since its introduction in 1983.
Manufactured by Boeing, the 757 stands out for its ability to operate from shorter runways while maintaining high payload capacities and long-range capabilities, making it well-suited for a variety of commercial aviation roles, including transcontinental flights. The aircraft has become a favorite for airlines looking to service high-demand routes that don’t require a wide-body jet.
Photo credit: Crown Copyright 2011, NZ Defence Force
