Like its British and Australian cousins, the NZSAS primarily specializes in direct action, special reconnaissance, counterterrorism, and hostage rescue missions. Additionally, the NZSAS has a great combat-tracking reputation that goes back to the Malayan Emergency and the Vietnam War.

The 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Regiment, abbreviated as 1 NZSAS Regt, was formed on 7 July 1955 and is the special forces unit of the New Zealand Army, closely modelled on the British Special Air Service (SAS).

NZSAS Regiment has four main roles: Surveillance and Reconnaissance – operate in complex terrain and difficult situations, often for long periods of time on a range of missions and tasks. Combating Terrorism – respond to a terrorist situation in support of the NZ Police at the request of the New Zealand Government.

The Special Operations Component Command manages New Zealand's Special Operations Forces (NZSOF). NZSOF respond to high priority opportunities or threats, not requiring numerical strength, for which either task or the environment precludes the use of conventional forces.

The jets will be replacing the P-3 Orion, which has been a staple of the Royal New Zealand Air Force since the 1960s.

We are the Royal New Zealand Air Force – Te Tauaarangi o Aotearoa.

The RNZAF's air combat capability ended in 2001, under the Fifth Labour Government with the disbanding of the A-4 Skyhawk and Aermacchi MB-339 equipped squadrons.