The New Zealand Ministry of Defence is seeking insights from companies and experts regarding the development of surveillance drones aimed at monitoring the Pacific region. This initiative aligns with the country’s Defence Capability Plan, which emphasizes the importance of uncrewed technologies, including drones, for enhancing national security and supporting regional partners.
The proposed surveillance drones would focus on persistent maritime monitoring to safeguard New Zealand’s exclusive economic zone. To facilitate this, the Ministry has issued a tender for expertise to assess the necessary technology and its potential applications.
In a statement to RNZ, the Ministry highlighted that while the drones are a significant aspect of the long-range drone project outlined in the 2025 Defence Capability Plan, they are not the sole option being considered. The Ministry is exploring a range of possible solutions for effective surveillance.
To gather further information, workshops are scheduled for the end of this month. Insights gained from these discussions will contribute to an indicative business case for the project, projected for development later this year.
Defence Minister Judith Collins chose not to comment on the specifics of the project. However, it’s noteworthy that in April of the previous year, the government revealed plans to invest $12 billion over four years to establish a “modern, combat-capable” Defence Force. This announcement accompanies a commitment to increase New Zealand’s defence spending from just over 1% to over 2% of GDP within the next eight years, marking a significant shift in the country’s defence policy since it last reached that level in the early 1990s.
This emphasis on enhanced defence capabilities reflects New Zealand’s proactive approach to addressing regional security challenges and ensuring the safety of its maritime territory.