Arms Sales Notification — Government of New Zealand ($69 million)
Key claim: The Defense Department notified Congress of a proposed $69 million arms sale to New Zealand of twenty MK 54 MOD 0 Lightweight Torpedoes plus support equipment, pending congressional review.
Abstract
(Notice · Defense Department) The DoD is publishing the unclassified text of an arms sales notification.
AGENCY: Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Department of Defense (DoD). ACTION: Arms sales notice.
SUMMARY: The DoD is publishing the unclassified text of an arms sales notification. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Urooj Zahra at (703) 695-6233, [email protected] , or [email protected] . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This 36(b) arms sales notification is published to fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104- 164 dated July 21, 1996. The following is a copy of the attached Transmittal 26-47, Policy Justification, and Sensitivity of Technology. Dated: June 12, 2026. Stephanie J. Bost, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. BILLING CODE 6001-FR-P [[Page 36587]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN17JN26.002 [[Page 36588]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN17JN26.003 BILLING CODE 6001-FR-C Transmittal No. 26-47 Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as amended (i) Prospective Purchaser: Government of New Zealand Major Defense Equipment *… $42 million Other… $27 million
TOTAL… $69 million (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or Services under Consideration for Purchase: Major Defense Equipment: Twenty (20) MK 54 MOD 0 Lightweight Torpedoes all up round Non-MDE: The following non-MDE items will also be included: storage and issue facilities; recoverable exercise torpedoes; air launch accessories; classified and unclassified torpedo spare parts; torpedo containers; torpedo support equipment including test equipment and tools; torpedo support services; unclassified books and other publications; other technical assistance including technical support, technical program management, infrastructure support, test equipment sustainment, exercise firing assistance, contract management, and initial follow-on technical support; in-country torpedo training; and other related elements of logistics and program support. (iv) Military Department: Navy (NZ-P-ALM) (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: Navy (NZ-P-ALA) (vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed to be Paid: None known at this time (vii) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense Article or Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: See Attached Annex (viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: June 4, 2
Why this matters
MK 54 lightweight torpedoes strengthen New Zealand’s anti-submarine warfare capacity, reinforcing interoperability with US and allied ASW operations in the Indo-Pacific. Though modest in dollar terms, the sale signals continued US security cooperation with a Five Eyes partner amid growing focus on undersea competition with China.