New Zealand’s defence ministry is seeking industry and academic advice on a Pacific surveillance drone plan that would use uncrewed systems for maritime monitoring and support Pacific partners across the region.
NZ Defence Ministry Seeks Industry Input on Pacific Surveillance Drones
New Zealand’s Ministry of Defence has issued a tender calling for companies and experts to provide advice on a Pacific surveillance drone plan under its Defence Capability Plan.
The plan would focus on developing persistent maritime surveillance using long-range unmanned aircraft to monitor New Zealand’s exclusive economic zone and support partner nations across the Pacific.
The request for input is part of the ministry’s broader effort to assess uncrewed technology and other potential solutions for enhancing regional maritime awareness.
Industry Feedback to Shape Business Case
Workshops with industry and academic participants are scheduled for late January to inform the development of an indicative business case later this year.
The ministry said the project sits within the “long-range remotely piloted aircraft” investment outlined in the 2025 Defence Capability Plan, with an indicative budget of NZD 100 million to 300 million.
Officials have noted that drones are not the only option under consideration for achieving the desired surveillance capability.
Context in NZ Defence Planning
Last year Wellington released its Defence Capability Plan that prioritizes uncrewed technology and other modern systems as part of a push to build a more capable defence force.
The government also announced a NZD 12 billion boost over four years aimed at modernizing the New Zealand Defence Force and raising defence spending toward two per cent of GDP over the next eight years.
Investment in uncrewed systems—including aerial and maritime drones—is one of several areas being examined to improve maritime domain awareness and support regional security.
Defence Minister Judith Collins declined to comment publicly on the tender process.
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