New Zealand considers options to replace Boeing 757s

New Zealand is “investigating options” to replace the Royal New Zealand Air Force's (RNZAF's) ageing Boeing 757 strategic airlifter, the country's Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on 4 Spetember 2024.

The RNZAF operates two 757-2K2s inducted in 2003. It uses the aircraft as a long-range freight and personnel carrier, as well as a transport for senior members of the national government. The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), however, has reported technical problems with the fleet in its 2022 and 2023 annual reports.

In its 2022 report, the NZDF said, “No Boeing 757 aircraft were available during Quarter 1 and Quarter 3 of 2021/22 due to unforeseen maintenance issues with the aircraft's [Rolls-Royce] RB211 engines.” In its follow-on 2023 annual report, the NZDF added that “increased maintenance of ageing aircraft, supply chain restrictions, and engine availability caused challenges for the strategic air mobility fleet (Boeing 757) into the first quarter of 2022/23”.

Business case

The MoD said on 4 September that “market research is investigating options” to replace 757-2K2 capability “with an aircraft to undertake similar activities – primarily movement of military personnel and equipment, as well as support for trade and diplomatic missions”.

Officials have initiated discussions with “a number of aviation companies to investigate opportunities and to explore delivery times, availability, and ownership options for replacement capability”, the MoD said in a press statement.