[ad_1]
Golding is currently the Commander of the Defence Force’s Maritime Forces, a position he has held since 2021.
King is the first woman to be appointed Army chief of staff. She joined the Army in 1991.
Weber is probably the most well-known of the group. He was involved in Government response to COVID-19including as head of managed isolation and quarantine. During this period, he attended several Covid-19 press conferences. Since 2023, he has served as Chief of Air Staff.
The Department of Defence released a new statement of intent on Tuesday, saying New Zealand was “facing a more challenging strategic environment than it has faced in decades”.
“The use and threat of military force increasingly shapes interactions among nations.”
In this more complex environment, the department believes it is even more important to build “stronger relationships with Indo-Pacific and Five Eyes partners.”
The document explicitly states that China “actively pursues its strategic goals and is the main new driver of strategic competition among countries around the world, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, in the new era.”
This is not the first time a New Zealand agency or minister has Emphasis on a more competitive global – and regional – environment, but it occurred at a critical time for national defense.
Defence leadership is currently working on a new plan outlining what capabilities New Zealand needs in the modern world. While the investment plan was originally expected to be released publicly sometime in the middle of this year, it has since been pushed back to late 2024 or early next year.
The government is also exploring whether New Zealand Want to join Aukus Pillar II – Advanced technology in a trilateral agreement between Australia, the UK and the US (three of the Five Eyes members). Ministers were quick to point out that New Zealand had not actually been invited to join.
The document also noted that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine “stems from Russia’s illegal invasion more than two years ago” and “continues to have an impact on the international rules-based system.”
The document notes New Zealand has “benefited from” the system for decades.
“In recent years, growing strategic competition has challenged the effectiveness of this system,” the report said.
“Some countries are acting in ways that contradict accepted international rules and norms, and are advancing visions of the regional and global order that run counter to New Zealand’s values and interests.
“This strategic competition is increasingly the backdrop for state relations and is prompting major powers and regional states to adopt more offensive postures, forge new partnerships, and invest in defense and other instruments of state power.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Government wanted New Zealand to contribute to global security and strengthening the international rules-based system.
The document mentions New Zealand’s contribution to “peace and security” in the Middle East and Africa. Earlier this year, New Zealand sent personnel to the Red Sea to maintain maritime security in response to Houthi attacks on international shipping.
Climate change is also considered the “greatest global challenge” that “directly affects national and regional security” and “intensifies strategic competition and other security threats.”
This week, the annual Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ meeting will be held in Tonga, where Pacific Island leaders are expected to discuss the impacts of climate change and other regional security issues. Tongan Prime Minister Christopher Luxon arrived in Tonga on Tuesday evening.
The statement of intent also outlines three core focus areas identified by the Secretary of Defense, including reinvigorating relationships with key security partners, developing a clear policy direction to enhance defense capabilities, and rebuilding human capacity.
Including 2024 budget $571 million in new funding for defense spendingequipment and upgrades, including $163 million in personnel compensation.
[ad_2]
Source link
