A question for the Kiwi's

Now that the OPV’s are being built for the RNZN these have a helo capability. Given that HMNZS Canterbury is going to be paid off when the new ships come on line, I’ve noted that there will be a slight imbalence in the Super Seasprite force. Allow me to show you.

Total SH-2G’s in RNZAF service (because we educated people know that the RNZN can’t have them) = 5

Current ships deployable with these machines:
HMNZS Canterbury
HMNZS Te Mana
HMNZS Te Kaha
HMNZS Endeavour

This leaves one in the shop for maintainence.

Future ships requiring helo systems
HMNZS Te Mana
HMNZS Te Kaha
HMNZS Endeavour
2x OPV’s

As it stands the current force would deploy with all SH-2G’s, now this might work in a perfect world but who here lives in a perfect world? Given that Endeavours hangar and flight deck can only cope with this sized a/c anything bigger is useless thus the RNZAF would need to buy a replacement helo just for this ship, or more realisticly two helos, say in the A-109 size field, and divert it’s SH-2G over to the fighting fleet. Or easier would be to buy a couple more Super Seasprites, right?

So there any plans to buy more helos for the ships or have they decided to try and make do with what they have?

Also on the subject, what’s happening with the B-47/UH-1H replacement programs? Who is bidding, has any one been selected yet, how many are being sought?