New Zealand Army personnel test a small UAV at Waiouru Military Camp, located in central North Island. (NZDF)

New Zealand is intensifying research and development (R&D) of emerging and disruptive technologies to enhance the future operational effectiveness of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF).

The New Zealand Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) are exploring opportunities to develop and experiment with technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), human machine teaming (HMT), space-based technologies, and autonomous systems. These efforts are intended to enhance combat capability as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) effectiveness.

In an interview with Janes, Anton Youngman, the MoD’s deputy secretary of strategy and assessment, outlined the strategic drivers behind these initiatives, the policy frameworks shaping their implementation, and priority technology areas under consideration.

Separately, David Galligan, New Zealand’s chief defence scientist and director of the NZDF’s Defence Science and Technology (DST) agency, told Janes about the the force’s R&D priorities, current and planned projects, collaboration with industry and international partners, and key challenges facing defence science and technology development.

Policy

Youngman said that growing regional military competition, and the changing nature of warfare, have shaped MoD policies to enable accelerated development and integration of emerging and disruptive technologies.

“The convergence of several technologies is transforming how societies and economies operate,” Youngman said. ”The convergence of advances in automation, AI, ML, robotics, data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT), among others, is revolutionising human productivity, connectivity, and decision-making.

“This transformation is taking place in the military domain too. Accelerating technology advances are rapidly evolving the character of war in real-time, changing how defence forces organise and arm themselves. This technology–driven change is also reshaping New Zealand’s security threats.”

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