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The New Zealand Government's recently unveiled 2025 Defence Capability Plan (DCP) marks a transformative step in strengthening the nation's defence posture. With a commitment of NZ$12 billion over the next four years—including NZ$9 billion in new spending—the plan aims to elevate defence spending to over 2% of GDP within eight years . This strategic investment underscores the urgency to modernize the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) amid a rapidly evolving global security landscape. Avoiding the fluff, here is our breakdown of key strategic priorities for the 2025 DCP - as we read it! Enhanced Combat Capability and Lethality. The DCP emphasizes the need for a combat-ready NZDF with increased strike capabilities. This includes the procurement of advanced missile systems for both maritime and land-based platforms, aiming to bolster deterrence and response options . Strengthened Interoperability with Allies. A significant focus is placed on deepening defence collaboration with Australia, striving for a more integrated 'Anzac' force. This includes aligning equipment procurement and enhancing joint operational capabilities . Investment in Innovation and Situational Awareness. The plan allocates resources toward uncrewed systems, long-range surveillance technologies, and cyber capabilities to ensure the NZDF remains agile and informed in diverse operational environments . Our Alignment with the DCP's Vision As a privately owned defence SME business specializing in supplying specialist equipment solutions to the NZDF, we recognize the strategic imperatives outlined in the 2025 DCP. Our commitment is to align our offerings with the NZDF's evolving requirements: Advanced Strike Systems : We are exploring partnerships to provide cutting-edge missile technologies compatible with both maritime and land platforms, enhancing the NZDF's deterrence capabilities. Interoperable Solutions : Our product development emphasizes compatibility with allied forces' systems, facilitating seamless integration during joint operations. Innovative Surveillance Technologies : We are planning the development of uncrewed aerial and surface systems equipped with advanced sensors to augment the NZDF's situational awareness and intelligence-gathering capabilities to maximise ISR. Collaborative Engagement for a Secure Future Understanding the DCP's objectives allows us to proactively adapt and contribute to the NZDF's mission readiness. We are committed to engaging with defence stakeholders to ensure our solutions meet the operational needs and strategic goals outlined in the plan. Conclusion The 2025 Defence Capability Plan sets a clear trajectory for New Zealand's defence strategy, emphasizing modernization, collaboration, and innovation. As a dedicated partner to the NZDF, we are poised to support this vision through tailored solutions that enhance capability and readiness in an increasingly complex security environment. EDGE Defence Ltd understands the benefit and importance of partnerships. If you are a Defence manufacturer of unique, interoperable systems that enable autonomy and flexibility - we want to hear from you. Our approach is to build trust and track record through collaboration and demonstration. Join us as we redefine mission critical systems, in support of the NZDF For more information on our capabilities and how we can support the NZDF's strategic objectives, please contact us

Introduction The recently released New Zealand Defence Capability Plan (DCP) makes one thing clear: interoperability is no longer optional – it's a cornerstone of modern defence strategy. At EDGE Defence Ltd, we specialise in mission-critical systems designed to be interoperable by default. Our blog explores why interoperability is vital for the NZDF, what it means for our local industry, and how New Zealand can futureproof its defence sovereignty. Sound good? Read on! What Is Interoperability? Image: NZDF To EDGE, interoperability is the ability of different systems, organisations, and platforms to operate together effectively and securely. Sounds simple right? For Defence, this means everything from software, radios, and drones to personnel, vehicles, and procedures working seamlessly – whe ther across Navy, Army, Air Force, or allied coalitions. This is where simplicity meets reality. Key outcomes include:- ✅ Real-time data shari ng- ✅Joint force coordination ✅Integrated logistics and sustainment ✅Secure communications with allied nations ✅Faster response during operations and emergencies Why It’s Critical for New Zealand Image: New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is the fifth largest in the world, covering approximately 4.2 to 4.3 million square kilometers. This makes it roughly 15 times larger than New Zealand's landmass. The EEZ extends from 12 to 200 nautical miles offshore and includes the continental shelf.  New Zealand’s unique geopolitical environment—spanning a vast economic exclusion zone, strong Pacific ties, and Five Eyes partnerships—demands a Defence Force that is both interoperable and sovereign. To respond to regional instability, cyber threats, and disaster relief scenarios, our systems must be plug-and-play ready with partner nations while retaining the agility of local support. Without the latter, system uptime and effectiveness have been proven to decrease and/or never realised through lack of deep system understanding. The 'reach-back' model doesnt always work, and must be applied where best value for money vs capability effectiveness can be balanced. 🧪EDGE Defence Ltd’s Commitment to Interoperability Image: Platforms that act as a neural network, operating to deliver a single command picture through passive devices in an underwater NZ location We don’t just build hardware. We aim to build, source and support mission-ready, future-focused systems that are designed for seamless integration.Our solutions are: 🔧 Modular - easily upgraded and customised 🧩 Standards-based - Aligned to NATO & Five Eyes protocols 💻 Software-integrated - Open architecture for multi-platform compatibility Locally supported – with sovereign maintenance and through life support knowledge and physical presence. 🤝NZDF and Local Industry: A Strategic Partnership Image: NZDF For New Zealand to sustain true interoperability, the Defence Force could choose to actively support local innovation and sovereign capability, in paraellel with sourcing thorugh our international supply chains. The NZDF has a unique opportunity to foster and develop a secure local supply chain, that is linked and supported by our international partners and suppliers with initiatives such as: Co-Fund joint R&D proejcts with Kiwi companies who show a direct link in the DCP outcomes and capability development. Encourage life-of-type local support contracts Help to build export capability opportunities for defence SMEs Invest in scalable, secure, NZ-built platforms This isn’t about protectionism. It’s about national resilience, mission readiness, and futureproofing capability. In the past we have suffered from procuring systems that are heavily budget constrained and often result in compromise in terms of capability outputs. No longer should we accept to be a nation of 'orphan platforms'. 🌏The Global Context: Why Now? Across the Indo-Pacific, tensions are rising. Nations are modernising. Threat vectors are becoming more hybrid and less predictable.Now , more than ever, New Zealand must be able to deploy, integrate and respond alongside trusted allies – quickly and effectively. Interoperability enables this. But we can’t afford to outsource all of our capability. Organic, sovereign know-how must remain here at home for systems that can, and should make sense to do so. This is not a silver-bullet approach and we must decide with clarity, where to choose local and where to partner global: the two are not exclusvie! ✅Conclusion: Our National Opportunity At EDGE Defence Ltd, interoperability isn’t a buzzword – it’s a non-negotiable requirement. We proudly build systems that are mission-ready and alliance-compatible. With the right policy settings and collaboration, NZ Inc can lead the way in delivering smart, sovereign solutions that punch above our weight – both regionally and globally. Interoperability builds confidence. Sovereign capability ensures resilience. EDGE Defence Ltd delivers both. 👉 Want to learn how EDGE Defence can support your next project with interoperable systems built for New Zealand? Contact us or explore our Defence Solutions.

The EDGE Defence team were excited to be once again rubbing shoulders with New Zealands leading Defence sector company leaders, at the latest New Zealand Defence Industry Association event in Auckland last Friday. The event was made more special by the attendance and speech by Hon Judith Collins - a leader who is proactively pushing our industry and organisations to do better, be stronger and more resilient for all New Zealanders in the coming years challenges that are expected. With a key focus being the discussion and deep dive into the recenlty released Defence Capability Plan (NZDF), which has signalled a much needed shift in our Defence spending due to a rapidly changing geopolitical environment. A key message received by the EDGE team was "Do not waste the opportunity!'. We couldnt agree more - NZ, our industry and our partners need to prepare for a trebling in speed and challenges to come our way. Our response? "Aye Minister!". We stand ready to help drive our industry forward through partnering with great ally suppliers as well as integrating these solutions into the fabric of our unique operating conditions and missions!