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New Zealand unveils major military overhaul

By AFP
April 08, 2025
The New Zealand Armys 1st Brigade holds a skill-at-arms competition at the Waiouru military training area.—New Zealand Defence Force/File
The New Zealand Army's 1st Brigade holds a skill-at-arms competition at the Waiouru military training area.—New Zealand Defence Force/File

WELLINGTON: New Zealand will ramp up defence spending under a major military overhaul unveiled on Monday, pouring billions of dollars into missiles, cyber security and drones.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said it was time for New Zealand to “pull its weight”, vowing to lift defence spending from one percent of GDP to more than two percent within the next 10 years. The NZ$9 billion (US$5 billion) plan would also see New Zealand´s military work more closely with key regional ally Australia, Luxon said.

“Global tensions are increasing rapidly, and New Zealand has stepped up on the world stage, but our current defence spending is simply too low.”