The UK is set to deepen defence and security ties with New
Zealand as the Prime Minster strengthens alliances abroad to
protect Britain's national interest.
Prime Minister will host New Zealand Prime
Minister Christopher Luxon this morning, with the leaders
visiting the training of Ukrainian forces by the UK and New
Zealand military as part of Operation Interflex. The visit
follows the two leaders meeting at the Commonwealth Heads of
Government Meeting in Samoa last year.
New Zealand trainers have worked alongside British counterparts
to help train more than 54,000 soldiers on Operation Interflex,
and New Zealand are expected to today confirm that they will
extend their support for the initiative in the UK until the end
of the year.
In addition to their support for training Ukrainian troops,
military planners from the New Zealand Defence Force are
contributing to the latest thinking and plans for post-conflict
support for Ukraine through the Coalition of the Willing.
Prime Minister Starmer will also announce UK contracts worth £30m
for drones produced by SYOS Aerospace, a New Zealand uncrewed
vehicle manufacturer based in Hampshire to support Ukraine.
The contract has created 45 jobs at the manufacturing facility
based in Fareham, Hampshire, and supports a further nine UK based
companies with subcontracts - delivering on the Government's Plan
for Change through both growth and security.
During the visit to see the training first hand, the leaders are
expected to discuss plans to further step up defence and security
cooperation, with defence ministers being instructed to work on a
new joint defence partnership between both countries to ensure
the relationship is fit for the twenty-first century.
The new arrangement, which will succeed the one signed in 2015,
comes after both the UK and New Zealand increased defence
spending to 2.5% and 2% of GDP respectively. It will also
recognise the vital partnership between the UK and New Zealand in
upholding stability and security across Europe, the Middle East
and the Indo-Pacific.
That includes through the involvement of Royal New Zealand Navy
frigate, HMNZS Te Kaha, which will join the UK Carrier Strike
Group, which leaves Portsmouth today, in the Indian Ocean.
Prime Minister said:
“Only by working with our friends and allies and protecting our
national security will we be able to deliver on our Plan for
Change, putting money back in the pockets of working people
through highly skilled jobs - such those we have announced today
- a strong and resilient economy, and greater opportunity.
“From the beaches of Gallipoli, to the vital work we have been
doing together on Operation Interflex and our support for
Ukraine, the UK and New Zealand have stood shoulder-to-shoulder
for generations in pursuit of peace and stability.
“As the world becomes an increasingly dangerous place, I am proud
how much we are doing together to support our national and
economic security – stepping up our defence spending, deploying
our navies together in the Indo-Pacific, and continuing our work
to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position to deter an
increasingly aggressive Russia.”
Following the visit to Interflex training in the South West of
England, the leaders will return to Downing Street to discuss how
both countries can work together to drive growth, deliver on the
Government's Plan for Change, and put money back in the pockets
of working people.
That will include increasing ambition on free and open trade,
including through the global Comprehensive and Progressive
Trans-Pacific Partnership and New Zealand and the UK's landmark
Free Trade Agreement.
Total trade in goods and services between the UK and New Zealand
was £3.6 billion in 12 months to September 2024 an increase of
5.3%, or £179 million in current prices, from 12 months leading
up to September 2023.
It comes after Scottish firm Emergency One won a global
competition to supply emergency vehicles to Fire and Emergency
New Zealand (FENZ). Through the ten-year contract, East Ayrshire
based Emergency One will replace 186 vehicles for New Zealand's
first responders, supporting 25 new jobs in Scotland.
The UK and New Zealand are also deepening collaboration in the
agriculture technology sector. A new Investor Partnership deal
will see New Zealand investment in British small and medium
enterprises to develop cutting edge equipment supporting growth,
farming sustainability and food security.
