The centrepiece of the Defence Force's new $20 billion upgrade is being labelled unnecessary by the Green Party.
After months in the planning, Defence Minister Ron Mark announced his long-awaited Capability Plan on Tuesday.
It includes scores of essential purchases for the Army, Navy and Air Force over the next decade and beyond.
At the heart is $1 billion to replace the old 1960s Hercules fleet with modern versions - or 'Super Hercs' - by 2023.
The Green Party's defence spokesperson, Golriz Ghahraman, told RNZ defence reporter Jonathan Mitchell the country shouldn't be spending all that money on the new planes.
