WELLINGTON (Reuters) – New Zealand is set to unveil its defence plans on Friday, which will likely include increased funding and resources to strengthen its military forces that have traditionally been perceived as underfunded compared to its defence partners.
The Labour government led by Chris Hipkins will release the country’s inaugural National Security Strategy, along with a review conducted over the past ten months to determine the necessary investments to execute the strategy.
In a speech last month, Hipkins stated that the strategy report would highlight the areas where the government should concentrate its efforts. This includes addressing emerging concerns such as disinformation and economic security, supporting the resilience of Pacific nations, and strengthening ties within the Indo-Pacific region.
“We cannot afford to be passive, and continued investment is required,” Hipkins emphasized.
New Zealand’s Labour government has already made significant investments, such as replacing its Vietnam-era P-3 Orion surveillance planes with P-8 Poseidon aircraft, upgrading the C-130 Hercules cargo planes, and increasing salaries to enhance retention rates. However, the defence forces continue to face strain.
Due to staff shortages, three out of the New Zealand Navy’s nine ships remain inactive. Additionally, plans to construct a vessel suitable for patrol duties in the harsh conditions of the Southern Ocean have been put on hold. The government also must make a decision regarding its aging frigates.
“As a country, we must become accustomed to allocating more resources towards security and defence,” stated Robert Patman, director of international studies at the University of Otago. “Personally, I believe greater attention should be given to maritime security.”
Patman highlighted New Zealand’s exclusive zone spanning 4 million square kilometers (1.54 million square miles) and the anticipation of heightened competition for resources in the area.
The defence review comes at a time of growing concern over national security, due to increased geostrategic competition and the impact of climate change, which is leading to more frequent and severe weather events.
This year, New Zealand’s Defence Minister, Andrew Little, acknowledged that the country, which currently allocates approximately 1% of its GDP to defence, must make substantial investments to address these challenges and meet the rising expectations of its neighbors and partners.
Australia conducted its own defence force review this year and concluded that it was “not fit for purpose.” The review recommended that the government prioritize long-range precision strike capability, domestic production of guided weapons, and diplomatic efforts.
(Reporting by Lucy Craymer. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
Credit: The Star : News Feed
