New Zealand to invest almost US$1 billion in drones, ships to protect maritime security

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New Zealand plans to invest nearly US$1 billion in drones, ship maintenance, and naval upgrades to strengthen maritime security amid rising concerns about supply route vulnerabilities. Investments include drones for long-duration surveillance in the southwest Pacific and polar-capable vehicles for operation from naval vessels.

New Zealand intends to spend about NZ$1.6 billion (US$936 million) on drones, ship maintenance and naval upgrades to bolster the island nation’s maritime security at a time of increasing concern about supply routes. Defence Minister Chris Penk said on Saturday that the government would invest in two types of drones: one for the southwest Pacific to provide long-duration intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and the other a polar-capable vehicle that could operate from naval vessels in...