Defense ties deepen in the Pacific

Two regional partners push closer military cooperation as they respond to a Chinese live-fire exercise near their shores.

New Zealand and Australia expand defense ties after Chinese live-fire drills

In Queenstown, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon hosted Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for their second annual bilateral leaders’ meeting. They signaled a push for closer defense cooperation, with a strong emphasis on interoperability to create a force multiplier in the region.

The talks come after a Chinese live-fire exercise in the Tasman Sea in February that briefly disrupted air routes and underscored Beijing’s growing reach. Canberra and Wellington said they would continue engaging with China while expanding joint drills, procurement, and intelligence sharing to strengthen deterrence and resilience.

Luxon outlined plans to lift New Zealand’s defense spending to more than 2% of GDP, a substantial rise from recent levels, while Australia advances a frigate program worth about 6.5 billion dollars. The meeting also noted Japan’s recent naval visits to New Zealand and reinforced the broader security context created by AUKUS as defenders look to a more integrated regional security architecture.

The gathering signals a pragmatic shift for both governments as they navigate a more competitive Indo-Pacific. By deepening interoperability with Australia, New Zealand seeks to share costs and amplify deterrence without committing to a broader, formal alliance that might intensify regional frictions.

Yet bigger defense budgets and longer weapons programs bring questions about how the public will finance and assess these moves. If spending climbs too quickly or public justification lags, policymakers risk backlash at home and a potential misalignment with broader diplomatic goals, including managing relations with China while preserving channels for dialogue.

Highlights

As alliances deepen, the region faces the test of translating talks into steady security gains.