Defence

General Defence Articles

Category : Defence
Author: TVNZ News

New Zealand Defence Force personnel are heading to Poland to train Ukraine's Armed Forces.

Article: https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/05/21/nzdf-personnel-to-train-ukrainian-troops-in-poland/
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Note from Nighthawk.NZ:

Category : Defence
Author: Phil Pennington

A retired major general says New Zealand is "tinkering" with military drones while other countries forge ahead.

Australia and the US last month ramped up their drone rollout plans. But observers and industry players doubt that next week's Budget will deliver any significant gear change here.

Article: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/595885/is-new-zealand-falling-behind-in-the-drone-arms-race
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Note from Nighthawk.NZ:

Category : Opinion
The Royal New Zealand Navy is standing at a crossroads. Its two current frigates, HMNZS Te Kaha and HMNZS Te Mana, have served the country well for nearly thirty years. However, these ships are reaching the end of their lives. By the mid-2030s, they will need to be replaced if New Zealand wants to maintain a credible combat force at sea.

Article: https://www.nighthawk.nz/
Note from Nighthawk.NZ:

Category : Defence

The Government is progressing work to replace the Royal New Zealand Navy’s ageing frigate fleet as part of broader efforts to strengthen New Zealand’s Defence capability, Defence Minister, Chris Penk, has announced. 

Article: https://insidegovernment.co.nz/govt-progresses-plan-to-replace-ageing-frigate-fleet/
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Note from Nighthawk.NZ:

Category : News
Author: Kamuran Pandurov

New Zealand-developed drones will be trialled by the NZDF to strengthen capability while growing local industry, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced on 24 February. The contract has been awarded to Syos Aerospace, founded four years ago in Mount Maunganui and now recognised internationally in unmanned systems.

Article: https://www.overtdefense.com/2026/03/06/new-zealand-to-trial-locally-developed-air-land-and-sea-drones/
Note from Nighthawk.NZ:

Category : News
Author: Phil Pennington,

The new Defence Minister says he has not seen anything in the Iran war that would lead him to reconsider New Zealand's defence relationship with the United States.

Article: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/593277/no-rethink-on-us-drones-on-right-path-for-now-says-new-defence-minister
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Note from Nighthawk.NZ:

Category : Defence
Author: 1News Reporters

The New Zealand Defence Force has carried out a "high-stakes" medical evacuation from Antarctica’s McMurdo Station.

Article: https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/04/25/defence-force-carries-out-high-stakes-antarctic-medical-evacuation/
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Note from Nighthawk.NZ:

Category : Defence
Author: Defsec

The question is no longer whether drones will shape future conflict. The question is whether New Zealand intends to participate in that future – or be left behind, writes former New Zealand Army officer Graeme Doull.

Article: https://defsec.net.nz/2026/04/20/make-drones-the-main-effort/
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Note from Nighthawk.NZ: