New Zealand intends to replace outdated helicopters with new ones for $1.2 billion.

New Zealand is set to replace its outdated $1.2 billion naval helicopters due to rising global tensions. This was reported on May 4 by the Reuters news agency, citing the country's Defense minister, Judith Ann Collins.

According to media reports, the country will also increase basic defense spending by $143.4 million per year over four years.

"It is clear that New Zealand is not immune to the growing tensions felt around the world," Collins said.

The Minister of Defense stated that in this way New Zealand began the path towards achieving defense spending of 2% of GDP by 2032-2033. The agency noted that now this figure is just over 1%.

It is specified that the state plans to replace eight Kaman SH-2 Seasprite marine helicopters.

Combat inaction: only 6 EU countries are really capable of increasing military spending

Why Europe's defense potential is unlikely to be radically increased

Earlier in the day, Izvestia estimated that the six member states of the European Union (EU) would be able to painlessly increase military spending by 1.5% of GDP. These include Denmark, Ireland, Cyprus, Greece, Luxembourg and Portugal, which finished 2024 with a budget surplus. Another 10 EU countries keep budget expenditures in excess of 3% of GDP, so they are also potentially able to increase military spending.