New Zealand participates in Ex Keen Sword for the first time

After having observer status at the previous Exercise Keen Sword, the New Zealand Defence Force was invited to participate this year.

The exercise, conducted by the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and United States military is designed to enhance combined readiness across maritime, land, air, cyber, space, logistics and medical domains.

Partner nations were invited to participate with personnel contributing in key functional areas, aimed at enhancing interoperability and cooperation.

Joint training was held at various locations in Japan and in the region during the Exercise which ran from 19 to 29 October.

Around 40 vessels, 260 aircraft, 45,000 JSDF, 11,000 United States personnel, and personnel from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand, the Netherlands and the Philippines were involved.

The NZDF deployed defensive cyber operators and an aeromedical evacuation team to the Exercise.

Commander Joint Forces New Zealand, Major General Rob Krushka, said joint, multi-domain exercises enhanced the ability of allies and partners to respond collectively to regional security challenges.

Deploying personnel in areas such as defensive cyber has proven a valuable experience for those involved as it enabled operators to see what other countries do, understand their processes and share experiences to be better able to work together in the future.

JSDF Joint Chief of Staff General Hiroaki Uchikura said: “Keen Sword 27 is not directed at any specific country or region, and no nation has reason for concern. The exercise is designed to enhance the readiness of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, strengthen interoperability between Japan and the United States, and deepen cooperation with participating partners amid an increasingly severe security environment. This exercise contributes not only to Japan’s defense, but also to peace and stability in the region. Reflecting broad support for this objective, like-minded countries from both the Indo-Pacific and Europe are participating. Keen Sword 27 has the largest number of participating nations to date. Together with the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the Philippines, Japan will continue to strengthen cooperation and proactively contribute to regional peace and stability while garnering support from an even wider range of countries.”