New Zealand To Invest In Drones, Fleet To Shield Maritime Routes

By Michael Heath

May 23, 2026 (Bloomberg) —New Zealand intends to spend about NZ$1.6 billion ($936 million) on drones, ship maintenance and naval upgrades to bolster the island nation’s maritime security at a time of increasing concern about supply routes.

Defence Minister Chris Penk said Saturday that the government will invest in two types of drones: one for the southwest Pacific to provide long-duration intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; the other is a polar-capable vehicle that can operate from naval vessels in the Southern Ocean.

“New Zealand’s prosperity and security depend on the sea,” Penk said in a statement. “Recent events have