Agusta-Westland A109LUHs

Minister of Defence Phil Goff announced today that Cabinet has approved the start of contract negotiations with Agusta-Westland, the preferred tenderer for the supply of training-light utility helicopters to the New Zealand Defence Force.

"The negotiations for five Agusta-Westland A109LUHs and a flight simulator will commence shortly and I expect a contract to be signed in the first quarter of next year," Phil Goff said.

"The helicopters should enter service with the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 2010.