NZ aiming for steady rise in defence spending
By Greg Torode, Reuters
New Zealand is aiming for “smooth and steady” rises in defence expenditure to meet its target of spending 2 percent of GDP on the military within eight years, Defence Minister Chris Penk says.
Penk said there might be peaks and troughs amid the acquisition of new weapons and platforms but the overall aim was to nearly double New Zealand’s military spending as it sought to boost defence capabilities.
“As much as possible, it’s our intention to have a smooth and steady upward trajectory to 2 percent,” Penk told Reuters in Singapore ahead of the opening of the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s largest defence meeting.
Penk became Defence Minister in April, replacing Judith Collins.
Penk’s comments come after announcements that the government had allocated $1.58 billion in new defence funding in its 2026 budget as it upgrades its forces.
New Zealand is planning two new drones for intelligence and surveillance in the South-West Pacific as well as for polar deployment. Wellington is also looking for long-term replacements for its two ageing Anzac-class frigates and the multi-role support ship HMNZS Canterbury.
Critical maintenance work on its surface fleet is also being prepared for. During a panel discussion at the dialogue, Penk said Wellington was still evaluating British and Japanese options to replace the frigates.
The increases are being planned along with boosts to education and healthcare spending in an otherwise austere budget. New Zealand is a treaty ally of Australian forces and is gradually deploying across East Asia in support of Western militaries and their partners amid China’s rapid military rise.
“I think the word inter-operability is an important one for us and I would add inter-changeability, certainly with regard to Australia, who’s our nearest neighbour but also a formal ally,” Penk said.
“I think it’s important that we are very visibly present … in the Asian region and we do things in conjunction with the likes of Korea and Japan,” he said, adding it was important to maintain and exercise freedom of navigation.
- Reuters