New Zealand is set to expand its maritime defence capability with major investment in drones, naval fleet upgrades and ship maintenance as part of a $1.6 billion Defence funding package announced in Budget 2026.
Defence and Veterans Minister Chris Penk said the funding would strengthen the country’s ability to protect key shipping routes and respond to growing international instability, warning that oceans could no longer be viewed as a natural shield from global threats.
The package includes $880 million in new operating funding and $700 million in capital funding for projects under the Defence Capability Plan, including work on a renewed “combat capable” navy.
Two new drone systems will also be introduced, with one designed for long-range surveillance operations in the South-West Pacific and another capable of operating from Royal New Zealand Navy vessels in the Southern Ocean. Funding has also been allocated for maintenance work on the Anzac-class frigates and HMNZS Canterbury to extend their operational life until replacement vessels are delivered.
Additional spending will support upgraded military training facilities, defence housing projects and a new Technology Accelerator programme linking New Zealand businesses with Defence to solve military challenges. Penk said the investment reflected expectations that New Zealand personnel and equipment would increasingly be called upon both domestically and overseas in coming years.
Afraid of their fellow New Zealanders who hate their disloyalty, that’s what this is really about. Upgrade their henchmen, the cops will be next.
Suffice to say, this money could be better spent on healthcare and social services but well, bad govt is bad govt.
What is the Maori word for drone going to be? Waka-drona?
🤣😜🫢
NZDF gets major drone and warship upgrade. Are they going to do a major DEI upgrade as well?
The Navy should have been re-equipped with 5 Coastal Patrol Boats, 2 supply tenders, and 3 modern day Thyssen-built Class 214 U-Boats for use in New Zealand Territorail Waters, and REMOVED from the Globalist / Zionist-inspired SEATO / NATO Forces!
The same NZDF element would have been re-designated as the Royal New Zealand Coast Guard. Totally dedicated to the defence of New Zealand, and NO WHERE ELSE!
The current Coast Guard would have become the Royal New Zealand Lifesaving Service (Water) in conjunction with Land and Air.
The Royal New Zealand Army would be and should be re-structured to match the Swiss model in both mandated and logistical points of Armed Neutrality Defence adapted for the South Pacific environment.
The RNZAF needs to expand the affordable T-6 fleet to include 2 fighter squadrons (1 on each island) that have hard points on the wings for stand-off / shoot down air-to-air and air-to-ground missile capabilities. You don’t need unaffordable fighter jets, just a tactical turboprop-based weapons platform that will suffice very well for defence purposes!
But…I digress from common sense, since the Parliament has these ideas but has never acted on them as per the usual Uni-Party mentalities of do nothing and let the WEF & Rand Corporation think for them…
Old ‘Nam Bro Pilot for PM
Thanks…and be sure to vote for the NZ Loyal Party this November.
Cheers-
Old ‘Nam Bro Pilot
Sounds sensible – too sensible for the Beehive fake democracy uni-party (and their globalist overlords wouldn’t allow it).
Taking a lead from Iran’s demonstrated example would be worth looking into.
Great to spend 1.6 billion during an economic crisis on a defence force that would still be unable to defend NZ against the global big guys, we’d end up toast regardless of any upgrades
1.6 billion. More mafia robbery from the New Zealand people. For what? And who’s going to pay for this nonsense?
Gotta upgrade and replace since Jacinda’s buddy sunk the Monowai … drones seem to be the way forward …