NZDF and Customs deploy uncrewed vessels and aircraft for Pacific Islands maritime surveillance

New Zealand Defence Force and Customs Service surveillance assets have conducted a series of operations across Pacific waters, monitoring hundreds of vessels at the request of regional partners.

The jointly owned Royal New Zealand Navy and Customs uncrewed surface vessels Tahi and Rua spent four weeks patrolling Fiji's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), surveilling 145 vessels in total. Controllers from both agencies operated remotely from Auckland's Customs Integrated Targeting and Operations Centre, with NZDF analysts supporting from Devonport Naval Base.

In parallel, a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon conducted patrols over the EEZ of Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, plus two high seas pockets, supporting the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency. The aircraft observed 53 fishing vessels, many operating without licences or with deliberately obscured name plates.

An RNZAF MC-12K King Air also completed a week of patrols in Tongan waters covering the Ha'apai Island group and northeast of Tongatapu. His Majesty's Armed Forces Tonga Maritime Intelligence directed the crew to 20 vessels of interest for photographic documentation and follow-up. The aircraft additionally photographed two volcanic islands for Tonga's Department of Lands and Survey.

Customs Assistant Comptroller Maritime Operations Paul Campbell pointed to the value of combining agency resources: "Bringing our people, technology, and intelligence together allows us to share information in real time, make faster and better-informed decisions, and provide stronger support to our Pacific partners."

For Commander Joint Forces New Zealand Major General Rob Krushka, the deployments carry a broader message to the region: "We stand by our Pacific neighbours as they work to protect their resources and livelihoods, upholding fishing regulations and preventing transnational serious and organised crime."