Middle East deployment 2026

At the direction of the Government, the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is supporting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade (MFAT) to be ready to assist New Zealanders stranded by conflict in the Middle East.

Defence Public Affairs - Media Team

+64 21 487 980 media@nzdf.mil.nz

New Zealand Defence Force personnel continue to work with New Zealand consular staff in the Middle East region.

In recent weeks, two C-130J-30 Hercules aircraft deployed to support MFAT in a contingency response, ready to assist New Zealanders home from the Middle East should it be necessary. The aircraft carried a full range of equipment to enable the safe extraction of New Zealand citizens from an operational environment, if required.

As consular demand in the region has diminished with increased commercial flight availability, both aircraft have now returned to New Zealand.

The impacts of the conflict in the Middle East continue to be closely monitored and the NZDF remains ready to provide assistance to MFAT and other government agencies as required.

New Zealand Defence Force personnel are working with New Zealand consular staff in the Middle East, assisting New Zealanders wanting to leave the region.

A C-130J Hercules aircraft from No. 40 Squadron has taken off from Base Auckland at Whenuapai bound for the Middle East region.

The NZDF is preparing to deploy two aircraft and personnel to the Middle East region to be ready to help New Zealanders stranded by the conflict in the Middle East.