The government will inject $571 million into defense spending to improve pay for military personnel and improve defense equipment and infrastructure.
Defense Minister Judith Collins made her pre-Budget announcement today at Burnham Military Camp in Christchurch.
The bulk of the additional funding, which will be spent over four years, will include $163 million to increase salaries for Defense Force personnel and $408 million to upgrade equipment and infrastructure.
The additional funding included $99 million worth of savings found in the NZDF budget.
Mr Collins said New Zealand military personnel made New Zealand proud of the world and the funding would help ensure their service and expertise were maintained in an “increasingly volatile environment”. .
“NZDF members are on the front line of New Zealand's security, but they can't do their job without the right equipment and conditions.”
Mr Collins said that, subject to Cabinet approval, the Defense Force would begin replacing Unimog and Pinzgauer trucks, calling them the “NZDF workhorse” and saying they were the most frequently deployed vehicles. .
“The replacement vehicle will be equipped with integrated communications that will enhance interoperability with regional and global partners such as Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.”
Other projects on the funding list (subject to Cabinet approval) include the next phase of the NH90 helicopter navigation system and radio upgrade, upgrades to the Linton military camp's regional supply facilities and logistics model, and the development of devices and productivity tools. Modernization includes upgrading some digital systems to improve services and the nation's maritime “territorial awareness,” she said.
It will also fund the rental of 35 homes for Devonport Naval Base staff.
“Together, these pay increases and projects will support our country while ensuring New Zealand is ready, willing and critically able to play its role internationally. will help boost the economy.
“The world is becoming increasingly unstable. You only need to look at events in Ukraine and the Middle East to see how quickly people's lives are changing.”
Mr Collins said the announcement showed New Zealand was “ready to step up and play our part to protect the freedoms that so many of us take for granted”.
The next step is to consider options for an updated defense force plan, which will shape future investment decisions for the equipment New Zealand needs “as we strengthen”, she said.
