Ironic flightless kiwi retained on RNZAF’s new military Airbus A321XLR aircraft livery
November 21, 2025
The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) has unveiled the livery for the two new Airbus A321XLRs being purchased to replace its aging fleet of two Boeing 757s.
RNZAF’s A321XLR’s Ironic kiwi roundel and military grey livery
The livery for the new RNZAF aircraft is designed to match the current livery. The RNAF stated, “A range of options were considered before settling on the grey with a prominent kiwi roundel, sending a clear signal that they are military aircraft…”
The Kiwi bird is a recognizable symbol of New Zealand. That said, the irony of using a flightless bird as the symbol of the country’s air force is not lost on New Zealanders. New Zealanders are also colloquially known as ‘Kiwis.’
In early 2025, the New Zealand Chief of Defence Force, Air Marshal Tony Davies, announced the country had signed an agreement with the US-based Air Lease Corporation to purchase two new Airbus A321XLRs.
The aircraft are expected to be delivered in 2028 and will be fitted out for military use. Project capital costs amount to NZD $620 million (USD $347 million or 265 million pounds). Four-year operating costs are forecast to be NZD $80.86 million (USD $45 million or 35 million pounds).
They are part of a larger effort to replace the RNZAF’s aging aircraft. The country is also purchasing five naval MH-60R Seahawk helicopters to replace its eight SH-2G Super Seasprite (only three of which remain operational). Procurements and other investments will see New Zealand’s defence expenditure rise to 2% of GDP.
Role of RNZAF’s future Airbus A321XLRs
The current 757s are used by New Zealand primarily to transport military personnel and equipment quickly over long distances. But they are also used for disaster relief missions across New Zealand and its neighbourhood in the Pacific. Additionally, they are tasked with diplomatic and trade missions.
New Zealand also lays claim to a large swathe of Antarctica through its Ross Dependency. These aircraft will also be able to complement its fleet of C-130J Super Hercules in conducting missions to Antarctica.
They are planned to be based at RNZAF Base Auckland in the North Island and will be operated by No. 40 Squadron.
Not a sight you see every day! ✈️ NZ4203, our trusted P-3K2 Orion, which retired from active service in 2021, is on a 455-kilometre journey to its new home at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand in Christchurch.
— Royal NZ Air Force (@NZAirForce) September 5, 2023
📷 Air Force Museum of New Zealand#NZAirForce pic.twitter.com/5RcDjZNE7x
Separately, New Zealand has already replaced its four P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft with four Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. Its old C-130 Hercules transports have been replaced with five C-130-30J Super Hercules.
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New Zealand’s ageing fleet of Boeing 757s
The New Zealand Air Force’s Boeing 757s are ageing and becoming unreliable. In 2024, The Guardian reported that one had to divert while carrying the New Zealand Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, and his entourage to Japan.
Air New Zealand had to step in to transport many of the accompanying staff and reporters after being stranded in Papua New Guinea.
Airbus developed the XLR (Xtra Long Range) variant of the A321neo to fill the mid-sized aeroplane niche left vacant following the termination of Boeing’s 757 programme in 2005.
Join us at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand on Saturday 17th June, at 2pm. Witness our aircraft fleet formation commemorating 100 years of NZ military aviation. Be part of this thrilling event: https://t.co/m503vLZPHv#NZAirForce #Wigram23 pic.twitter.com/VU3ObkM80T
— Royal NZ Air Force (@NZAirForce) June 7, 2023
Boeing has considered building a new clean-sheet New Midsized Airplane (dubbed the Boeing 797), but it’s not a priority as it is more focused on bringing its delayed 777X, 737 MAX 7, and MAX 10 airliners to the market. For now, the A321XLR is the closest replacement option on the market.
Featured Image: Royal New Zealand Air Force
