In 2017, an emergency response was called when an Orion turned back with engine trouble, eventually landing with one of its four engines shut down.
And in 2016, an Orion crew were forced to evacuate shortly before take-off because of an electrical fault. Smoke was later seen coming from the cockpit.
The New Zealand Defence Force plans to replace its ageing Orions in 2023. Four Boeing P-8A Poseidons have been ordered at a cost of $2.3 billion.