The U.S. approved the $1.5 billion sale of five Seahawk maritime helicopters to New Zealand, which has ​pledged to nearly double its military spending as it seeks to ‌boost defence capabilities.

"The U.S. Department of State has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of New Zealand for MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters and ​related equipment," the department said in a statement on its website ​on Friday.

The U.S. under President Donald Trump has been pushing allies ⁠in Europe and the Asia-Pacific to boost military spending. New Zealand, a close ​ally of neighbouring Australia, is increasingly deploying across East Asia in support of ​Western militaries and their partners amid China's rapid military rise.

"The proposed sale will improve New Zealand’s capability to meet current and future warfare threats by providing greater security for ​its critical infrastructure," the State Department said, adding that New Zealand would "use ​the enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defense".

The purchase of the Seahawk helicopters, made by ‌Lockheed ⁠Martin's Sikorsky unit, is part of a 2025 plan by New Zealand's center-right government to boost defence spending by NZ$9 billion ($5 billion) over four years and nearly double spending to 2% of gross domestic product in eight years.

Wellington allocated ​NZ$1.58 billion ($916 million) ​last month in new ⁠defence funding as it upgrades the island nation's forces.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Saturday that the government remained ​committed to lifting defence spending after "30 years of underinvestment ​in defence ⁠forces in New Zealand".

"We've moved from a benign environment to a much more globally strategically competitive environment. It's entirely appropriate that we double our defence spending," ⁠Luxon said ​in televised remarks from Australia's Queensland state, ​where he is attending an annual bilateral meeting with his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese.

Source: Reuters