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6d ago

UK and New Zealand Deepen Defence Ties with New Drone Deal and Extended Support for Ukraine

Prime Ministers Starmer and Luxon announce £30 million drone procurement, extended Operation Interflex training, and plans for a new bilateral defence partnership.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer looks on at Downing Street in London, Britain, April 4, 2025. Eddie Mulholland/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
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Overview

  • New Zealand has committed to extending its participation in Operation Interflex, a UK-led programme training Ukrainian troops, through the end of 2025.
  • The UK will procure £30 million worth of drones from New Zealand's SYOS Aerospace to enhance Ukraine's battlefield capabilities.
  • Defence ministers from both nations have been instructed to draft a new UK–New Zealand defence agreement, replacing the 2015 framework.
  • The Royal New Zealand Navy frigate HMNZS Te Kaha will join the UK carrier strike group, set to deploy to the Indian Ocean from Portsmouth on Tuesday.
  • Prime Ministers Starmer and Luxon emphasized the longstanding UK–NZ alliance, highlighting shared military history and ongoing collaboration through the Five Eyes intelligence network.