- New Zealand seeks one-way strike drones carrying explosive payloads as a cheaper alternative to conventional missiles.
- Defense Minister Chris Penk said Wellington will soon go to market, with a particular interest in homegrown suppliers.
- Plans include long-range unarmed maritime surveillance drones and submarine-hunting helicopters to modernize New Zealand's forces.
- The rebuild responds to a 2025 assessment calling the security environment the most challenging and dangerous in decades, strengthening strategic ties with the United States.
New Zealand is looking to buy “one-way strike drones” as it seeks to modernize its military, Defense Minister Chris Penk said on Wednesday.
Wellington unveiled plans in 2025 to retool its military for modern warfare, including investments in submarine-hunting helicopters and unmanned drones.
Penk said New Zealand was seeking human-operated strike drones that offered a cheaper alternative to conventional missiles.
The “one-way strike drones” would be equipped with explosive payloads, he said.
Penk said New Zealand would soon go to market to find drone suppliers, with a particular interest in working with homegrown businesses.
New Zealand was also looking to buy long-range unarmed drones for maritime surveillance, he said.
New Zealand has been embarking on a major effort to rebuild its military, facing what it described in 2025 as the “most challenging and dangerous” security environment in decades.
Although not a treaty ally of the United States, Wellington and Washington nonetheless have a close strategic partnership.
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