The rearming of the New Zealand Defence Force in the face of the growing threat from China

The expansionism of communist China in the South Pacific region has led New Zealand to implement a major rearmament process.

The spectacular video of an Australian pilot performing aerobatics in a Super Hornet fighter
EA-18G Growler, the US and Australian plane that fights in the electromagnetic spectrum

A few days ago, the New Zealand Defence Force released an impressive video showcasing its arsenal, both on land, at sea, and in the air. It's a considerable arsenal for a country of 5.32 million inhabitants, but it lacks some capabilities:

In April 2025, the New Zealand government unveiled a plan to modernize its Armed Forces (officially called the New Zealand Defence Force, "Te Ope Katua o Aotearoa" in Māori) with a budget of NZ$12 billion (approximately €6.35 billion), of which NZ$9 billion was allocated to new expenditures. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, a Conservative, stated: "Global tensions are increasing rapidly, and New Zealand has stepped up on the world stage, but our current Defence spending is simply too low."

With the new investments, New Zealand's defense spending will rise from just over one percent of GDP to more than two percent over the next eight years. In addition to purchasing new defense systems, such as more P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft (above), C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft (below), and Airbus A321XLR and MH-60R Seahawk multi-purpose helicopters for the Navy, this plan includes strengthening New Zealand's defense alliance with its largest ally and main neighbor, Australia, and acquiring a more lethal and deterrent combat capability. These are challenges that will not be easy.

The New Zealand Defence Force has endured 25 years of cuts. Relying on the protection provided by Australia, the country has neglected its military resources, which is evident in its air power. In 2001, Helen Clark's Labour government stripped the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) of its air combat capabilities, retiring its last A-4 Skyhawk attack aircraft and its Aermacchi MB-339 training aircraft, and canceling Jenny Shipley's Conservative government's 1998 plan to lease 28 F-16 A/B fighter jets from the United States. Since then, the RNZAF has focused on maritime patrol and providing support to the Navy and Army.

New Zealand has been able to afford this luxury because it is so far from the major powers. The mere fact of deploying forces to that remote country would be a major problem for any hostile nation, but the Navy of communist China is reaching ever farther and already possesses a CATOBAR aircraft carrier (similar to those operated by the US Navy), the "Fujian", with a length of 321.5 meters. The Royal New Zealand Navy has only eight main ships and of these, only two are frigates, the HMNZS Te Kaha (pictured above) and the HMNZS Te Mana, both of the Anzac class (Australia has seven frigates of this type). In October 2025, the Royal New Zealand Navy expressed interest in Japan's Mogami-class stealth frigates, but their acquisition has not yet been confirmed.

Finally, the New Zealand Army is renewing its vehicle fleet, a process in which Spain plays an important role, despite being on the other side of the world. In November 2024, New Zealand announced the purchase of 60 VAMTAC vehicles, specifically 40 VAMTAC CK3 light trucks (above) and 20 VAMTAC ST-5s (below). This model is manufactured in Spain by the Galician company UROVESA. In addition, New Zealand recently acquired 43 Bushmaster NZ 5.5 armored vehicles, which serve to reinforce the capabilities of its 73 NZLAV infantry fighting vehicles, an adapted version of the LAV III.

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Photos: NZ Defence Force.