The New Zealand Defence Force is consulting with local and international companies as it seeks new ways to strengthen intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance across the ocean regions surrounding New Zealand.
NZDF capability planning points to expenditure of between $50 million and $100 million over four years on long-range aerial drones. A newly released tender document makes clear that drones are merely one example, and the organisation remains open to any viable solution for monitoring the South-West Pacific and Southern Ocean.
"The Persistent Surveillance (Air) (PS(A)) project aims to improve the NZDF's ability to collect high fidelity ISR data, for longer durations, against a range of targets," the document states.
Three industry workshops are scheduled for January, deliberately timed to allow participation from companies in the United States, Europe and Australia, as well as from New Zealand. "The workshops are designed to be brainstorming sessions that will identify innovative and viable opportunities," the tender document notes.
On ownership and operation, the document outlines a staged approach. Any solution might initially be commercially owned and operated, with the Defence Force potentially taking over ownership in later phases of the programme.
