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New Zealand Signs $127M Contract With Beechcraft For Military Pilot Training

New Zealand has signed a $127 million dollar contract with Wichita's Beechcraft corporation, for military pilot training.

Defense Minister Jonathan Coleman says the contract includes 11 Beechcraft T-6C turboprop planes. Plus, ground simulators and training systems that will be implemented in classrooms and on computers.

Trainee pilots will begin using the new system in 2016.

New Zealand has a defense force of about 14,000.

U.S. Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Colin Crosby says the announcement is great news for New Zealand's Air Force and good news for U.S. business.

New Zealand military pilots are currently trained on systems provided by Pacific Aerospace and Beechcraft that the government considers outdated.

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