New Zealand in AUKUS ‘no guarantee,’ but discussions active: Defense minister

New Zealand in AUKUS ‘no guarantee,’ but discussions active: Defense minister
New Zealand in AUKUS ‘no guarantee,’ but discussions active: Defense minister

Judith Collins, New Zealand’s Minister of Defence, tells Breaking Defense that no matter what happens with AUKUS, her government is “looking at as much interoperability” as possible with Australia.

With Australia, New Zealand to explore AUKUS ‘opportunities,’ closer to joining?

With Australia, New Zealand to explore AUKUS ‘opportunities,’ closer to joining?
With Australia, New Zealand to explore AUKUS ‘opportunities,’ closer to joining?

“The opportunities that are open to our space and technology sectors are actually immense,” New Zealand’s Defence Minister Judith Collins said.

New Zealand joining AUKUS more likely after elections bring conservatives to power

New Zealand joining AUKUS more likely after elections bring conservatives to power
New Zealand joining AUKUS more likely after elections bring conservatives to power

Chris Luxon, the leader of the National Party and New Zealand’s likely next prime minister, has sounded more open to joining the AUKUS Pillar 2 technology initiative than the Labour party was.

New Zealand’s National Security Strategy: Greater regional presence, Aussie ties, and questions

New Zealand’s National Security Strategy: Greater regional presence, Aussie ties, and questions
New Zealand’s National Security Strategy: Greater regional presence, Aussie ties, and questions

“These documents represent a clear statement of intent by the New Zealand Government to step up its foreign policy and military efforts in the Pacific,” one analyst told Breaking Defense.

All domain C2, data sharing key for Talisman Sabre: US 3-star

All domain C2, data sharing key for Talisman Sabre: US 3-star
All domain C2, data sharing key for Talisman Sabre: US 3-star

The new Combined Joint Network Operations Security Center (CJ-NOSC) “gives us the ability [to] collaborate along with our partners, which hasn’t existed before,” US Lt. Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of Army I Corps, told Breaking Defense.

All-Domain operations key focus of vast Aussie Talisman Sabre exercise

All-Domain operations key focus of vast Aussie Talisman Sabre exercise
All-Domain operations key focus of vast Aussie Talisman Sabre exercise

“We’ve just seen an awesome demonstration of firepower here, from different weapons platforms, from different nations. But importantly, all used the same battlefield command and Strategy Center to aim for those targets,” Lt. Gen. Greg Bilton, the Australian Defence Force’s chief of joint operations, said.

How New Zealand is trying to expand military relations with its Pacific Island neighbors

How New Zealand is trying to expand military relations with its Pacific Island neighbors
How New Zealand is trying to expand military relations with its Pacific Island neighbors

Wellington’s overtures to the Pacific Island nations are starting to see results as its new approach to the region sees relations improve allowing for more in-depth defence engagement.

‘Deepening’ Russia-China partnership ‘to stay for the foreseeable future,’ Japanese diplomat warns

‘Deepening’ Russia-China partnership ‘to stay for the foreseeable future,’ Japanese diplomat warns
‘Deepening’ Russia-China partnership ‘to stay for the foreseeable future,’ Japanese diplomat warns

Tamaki Tsukada, chargé d’affaires at the embassy of Japan to the US, downplayed the tussle over a Pacific NATO office but said Indo-Pacific democracies and Western nations must tighten their own ties.

New Zealand in AUKUS? The political Kiwi conundrum over Pillar 2 membership

New Zealand in AUKUS? The political Kiwi conundrum over Pillar 2 membership
New Zealand in AUKUS? The political Kiwi conundrum over Pillar 2 membership

Among the political elite in Wellington, there is disagreement about the value of New Zealand joining this element of the partnership — disagreement that could end any realistic chances of New Zealand becoming the fourth member of AUKUS.

New Zealand defense priorities could slow after resignation of PM Jacinda Ardern

New Zealand defense priorities could slow after resignation of PM Jacinda Ardern
New Zealand defense priorities could slow after resignation of PM Jacinda Ardern

Political realities may push defense reform to the backburner, as another delay is revealed.

New Zealand’s half-billion dollar bet on COTS to network its army

New Zealand’s half-billion dollar bet on COTS to network its army
New Zealand’s half-billion dollar bet on COTS to network its army

The end goal of NEA is to create the NZ Army’s future network environment, known as the Land Tactical Information Network.

More proactive posture on table as New Zealand begins new defense review

More proactive posture on table as New Zealand begins new defense review
More proactive posture on table as New Zealand begins new defense review

New Zealand is considering a less defensive posture in the region, but whether it can afford to meet its goals remains a question.

Pacific powers show unity on Russia, China at NATO meeting: a sign of things to come?

Pacific powers show unity on Russia, China at NATO meeting: a sign of things to come?
Pacific powers show unity on Russia, China at NATO meeting: a sign of things to come?

China’s inclusion in NATO’s Strategic Concept isn’t necessarily groundbreaking, IISS’s Meia Nouwens tells Breaking Defense, but the “interesting part: what will come next?”

Firefly Aerospace Set For First Launch Next Thursday; Static Test Passed

Firefly Aerospace Set For First Launch Next Thursday; Static Test Passed
Firefly Aerospace Set For First Launch Next Thursday; Static Test Passed

“Firefly Alpha will provide a unique capability to the US Government that is not currently available: a 1,000 kg to orbit, commercial, domestic, launch vehicle that can be used for a wide variety of missions,” says Firefly spokesperson Kim Jennett.