Military cooperation features during NZDF deployments to Indo-Pacific region

The Task Group has been conducting a series of activities, engagements, exercises and operations in the region over the past four months, which included Te Mana’s first deployment contributing to the monitoring of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions against North Korea.

As well as the Navy Task Group, soldiers from the New Zealand Army, and Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel and P-8A Poseidon aircraft have also been contributing to regional security through a range of activities from multinational exercises to maritime domain awareness patrols in the region.

Deputy Commander Joint Forces New Zealand, Brigadier Mick Bassingthwaighte, says the deployments across maritime, land and air demonstrated the NZDF’s commitment to the international rules-based system in New Zealand’s near region, the Indo-Pacific.

“What stands out to me is the professionalism of our sailors, soldiers and aviators and the relationships they’re building across the Indo-Pacific,” he said.

“Every exercise, patrol and engagement strengthens our ability to work alongside partners and contribute to regional security. That matters because New Zealand’s security and prosperity are closely connected to the stability of our wider region.”

The NZDF’s close collaboration with Australia in particular, New Zealand’s only formal ally, on Indo-Pacific deployments reflects a shared commitment to operationalising the Alliance through practical cooperation, interoperability and collective support for regional stability. 

Commodore Shane Arndell, the NZDF’s Maritime Component Commander, says the Indo-Pacific deployment demonstrated the versatility of the multi-purpose Anzac class frigate conducting patrols to detect and monitor sanctions evasions, supported by sustainment vessel Aotearoa.

The UNSC sanctions enforcement patrols were among a varied programme for the Task Group, which included the ships’ contribution to the world’s largest combined and joint maritime exercise, Rim of the Pacific, involving 30 nations and around 30,000 personnel. 

From North Asia, the Task Group sailed for the Philippines where the ships took part in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Maritime Security Joint Cooperative Activity in Subic Bay and the South China Sea, a further boost for military cooperation with partners in the region. 

Visits with leaders during port calls, including Papua New Guinea on the sail home, highlighted the NZDF’s close defence relationships and cooperation between like-minded partners.

Commander Tuijo Thompson, the Commanding Officer of Te Mana, said the Task Group had performed very well, “which reflects positively on our people, ships and Navy’’. 

“For many of our ship’s company, this was their first operational deployment. Their enthusiasm was one of the highlights. Enthusiasm to achieve the mission, to work for one another, and to represent their ship and their country.” 

Aotearoa was in high demand, conducting 45 replenishments at sea for vessels from six partner nations – Australia, Canada, United States, Republic of Korea, Italy and Japan. This was the first time Aotearoa had supplied fuel at sea to Italian and Japanese warships.

The passing of fuel to the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force ship Ise operationalised the newly ratified Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement between Japan and New Zealand.

Brigadier Bassingthwaighte said military cooperation in the region was further evident in deployments of the P-8A Poseidon and personnel to conduct maritime domain awareness patrols in the Indo-Pacific region. These have been based out of the Philippines during this deployment, a growing defence relationship for New Zealand.

Participation in exercises pointed to another step in New Zealand’s relationship with Indonesia as a NZ Army platoon joined an Australian company to train in Indonesia for the first time, on Exercise Super Garuda Shield. This enabled the Army to practice mobilisation, enhance interoperability within a coalition environment and provide a training ground different to that experienced in New Zealand.

NZ Army engineers, medical personnel and cyber experts also contributed to the multinational Exercise Trident Resolve in Indonesia, where New Zealand co-chaired the humanitarian assistance and disaster response working group.

While deepening interoperability with newer regional partners, the NZDF also continues to enhance military cooperation with enduring partners such as the Five Power Defence Arrangements nations. This includes on Exercise Bersama Lima in Singapore where the NZDF’s contribution includes a P-8A Poseidon, an infantry platoon and a Navy deployable boarding team.