Defence

General Defence Articles

Category : News
Author: 1News Reporters

New Zealand Defence Force personnel and assets have begun to deploy to one of the world's largest multi-national military exercises being held in Australia next week.

Article: https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/06/05/nzdf-prepares-for-major-warfighting-exercise-in-australia/
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Category : Defence
Author: Phil Pennington

The Defence Force (NZDF) says it is aware the United States wants to expand options for rocket launches, but that it has nothing to do with it.

Article: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/561384/us-plans-to-expand-rocket-launch-options-nothing-to-do-with-nz-defence-force
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Category : Analysis
Author: Phil Pennington

Heading into next week's Budget, Judith Collins would not want any more money for weapons, even if it was offered to her.

Article: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/561172/a-surplus-of-defence-riches-but-lack-of-skill-and-experience
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Category : News
Author: Ministry of Defence

A VAMTAC ST5 prototype vehicle is scheduled to land in New Zealand shortly, following its transport from the UROVESA military vehicle factory in Galicia, Spain, on board one of the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s new Hercules C-130J-30 aircraft.

Article: https://defence.govt.nz/news/vamtac-vehicle-prototype-on-way-to-new-zealand/
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Category : News
Author: Phil Pennington,

The Trump administration in the United States is cutting generals, while increasing spending to make its military more lethal. Should the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) do the same?

Article: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/560649/us-cuts-back-on-generals-to-boost-lethality-should-nzdf-follow-suit
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Category : Defence
Author: TVNZ

Defence Minister Judith Collins has clarified a new $957 million boost to the Defence Force is in addition to the previously announced $12 billion Defence Capability Plan.

Article: https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/05/04/budget-2025-over-2b-for-naval-helicopters-extra-957m-for-defence/
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Note from Nighthawk.NZ:

I am happy with the news, not happy with the number of air frames the Defence Minister said which is 5... they originally had 8 Seasprites across the fleet that was enough to have three air worthy (until age and spare parts hampered this) so why are starting off with five which is the number we have left in service now...

Two frigates, HMNZS Te Kaha, Te Mana, Aotearoa, Canterbury, Otago, Wellington  and remember Canterbury can operate multiple helo's also thinking of her replacement with a proper LPD or small LHD and the future SOPV is back on the table five is simply not enough.

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Category : News
Author: RNZ

The government has set aside $2 billion from this year's Budget to replace the navy's Seasprite helicopters, boosting their disaster response and aid capabilities.

Article: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/559866/defence-force-maritime-helicopters-to-be-replaced-at-cost-of-over-2-billion
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Note from Nighthawk.NZ:

I am happy with the news, not happy with the number of air frames the Defence Minister said which is 5... they originally had 8 Seasprites across the fleet that was enough to have three air worthy (until age and spare parts hampered this) so why are starting off with 5 which is the number we have left in service now...

Two frigates, HMNZS Te Kaha, Te Mana, Aotearoa, Canterbury, Otago, Wellington  and remember Canterbury can operate multiple helo's also thinking of her replacement with a proper LPD or small LHD and the future SOPV is back on the table five is simply not enough.

 

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Category : News
Author: Lucy Craymer
WELLINGTON, April 30 (Reuters) - The New Zealand Air Force will establish a small space squadron to signal its growing commitment to space-based defence and international security, a senior military official said on Wednesday. Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb said the Air Force had a team already focused on space, but creating a squadron symbolized its growing significance.

Article: https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/new-zealand-air-force-set-up-space-squadron-it-grows-importance-2025-04-30/
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