New Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins has announced a $6.6 billion overhaul of the country’s military forces. Under the newly released 2025 Defence Capability Plan, the government will allocate funding over the next four years, with $5 billion earmarked for new spending.
The plan aims to increase the nation’s defense spending from just over 1 percent of GDP to more than 2 percent within eight years. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said it is a necessary response to rising global tensions, aiming to transform the New Zealand Defence Force into a more modern, combat-ready force.
“This blueprint has been designed with a 15-year horizon but deliberately focuses on critical investments needed in the next four years to ensure our Defence Force can adapt as the world around us changes,” the premier said. He added that the government has committed to a biennial review of the plan, calling it a funding floor, not a ceiling.
Collins emphasized that the plan focuses on urgent upgrades in weapons, equipment and personnel support to rebuild the NZDF after decades of underfunding. Key priorities include strengthening interoperability with Australia and regional partners, increasing lethality and deterrence capabilities, and exploring new technologies.
Planned investments between 2025 and 2028 include enhanced strike capabilities, persistent surveillance systems, maritime helicopter replacement, cyber defense upgrades, new long-range remotely piloted aircraft and replacement of the Boeing 757 fleet. Other targets include intelligence function upgrades, modernization of facilities and bases, and implementation of a workforce strategy.
“Our personnel are expected to be called upon more often, in more places, and for longer,” the defense chief said. “For this, they must be equipped and trained for a range of operations, to be more combat capable and able to deter actions adverse to our interests while also being ready to provide essential humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.”
The release of the defense plan follows mounting calls from top officials for a stronger national security posture. Just last month, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters warned that New Zealand must boost defense spending beyond the 2 percent GDP target to avoid being perceived negatively by its trading partners.
Earlier this year, the government also allocated funding to improve maritime search and rescue capabilities by upgrading communication networks for Maritime New Zealand and Coastguard New Zealand.