In an increasingly unstable environment, it is critical our NZDF are able to work closely with like-minded partners, writes Defence Minister Hon Judith Collins.
There have been moments in my nearly 18 months as Minister of Defence when I have wondered whether I am witnessing a defining moment in history.
One such moment was just a few weeks ago at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, where differing approaches to Russia’s illegal and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine dominated discussions.
For the record, New Zealand very much stands with Ukraine and has done so since it was invaded more than three years ago. We, like the rest of the world, hope for peace and a return to the rules-based order.
At the conference I participated in a panel discussion on the interconnected nature of security events in Europe and the Indo-Pacific.
“In an increasingly unstable environment, it is critical our NZDF are able to work closely with like-minded partners, as we did with the Australian Defence Force when the PLA-N task group entered our region.”
Japan Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi, Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Cho Tae-Yul, NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Šekerinska and I discussed how security challenges in these two theatres are increasingly interlinked.
We agreed that many of the issues we face, such as geostrategic competition, cyber-attacks, climate change and terrorism, are trans-national in nature. They know no borders.
That means that what happens in the Indo-Pacific can have a rapid impact on Europe, and vice versa. In particular, we are all impacted by challenges to the international rules-based order, which is under the greatest threat since World War II.
Working together
It is in the interest of us all to work together towards solutions, given the global impacts of the issues.
For this reason, a number of our likeminded partners are increasingly focussed on the Indo-Pacific. European governments have released Indo-Pacific strategies and increased their engagement in the region, and the new US Administration has repeatedly said the Indo-Pacific will be a key focus.
The US has indicated this includes continuing to work with their partners and allies in the region to uphold security and stability.
Similar themes of interconnectedness were discussed at the NATO Defence Ministers’ Meeting that I attended in Brussels last year.
Perhaps as a sign of the times, this was the first opportunity Defence Ministers and officials from the NATO group known as the Indo-Pacific 4 had the opportunity to exchange views directly with NATO Allies.
I reiterated to my IP4 counterparts from Australia, Japan and the Republic of Korea that New Zealand is committed to working with its partners to uphold the international rules-based order.
Deployments
That is why the Government continues to deploy hundreds of our highly trained and professional NZDF personnel overseas on multinational missions. It is important we send our people to do our bit in upholding the norms and rules upon which we rely for security and prosperity.
One current example, which I believe is very significant, is the NZDF team deployed to command the Combined Task Force 150 in the Middle East. The Task Force is part of the 46-nation naval partnership called the Combined Maritime Force and is focused on the promotion of security and stability in some of the world’s busiest maritime trading routes.
In February the New Zealand-led task force discovered nearly two-and-a half tonnes of hashish on a vessel off the coast of Oman, and in March in the north Arabian Sea it seized 318kg of heroin and 83kg of methamphetamine with a street value of $NZ332 million.
The New Zealand contingent will soon be joined by HMNZS Te Kaha to conduct ocean patrols and boarding operations.
As a small nation primarily reliant on trade, we require a safe and interconnected world in order to prosper, including open and secure maritime trading lanes.
Indo-Pacific shipping lanes are especially important to New Zealand’s economic success. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development estimates that 60 percent of global maritime trade passes through Asia and one-third through the South China Sea.
Some 50 percent of New Zealand’s export goods go to the 14 countries that make up the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, including South Korea, Singapore, the Philippines, Australia and the United States.
Military activities in our region escalating
Recent events in the Indo-Pacific reinforce that global challenges and tensions are increasingly having direct impacts on our security and stability.
Late last year, the People’s Republic of China test fired a nuclear capable intercontinental ballistic missile into the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone.
It was an act not seen in the region for more than 40 years and one that runs counter to regional interests and expectations. Pacific leaders, including New Zealand’s, have clearly articulated they want a peaceful, secure and prosperous region.
Then, last month a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) task group made up of three warships conducted live-fire drills in international waters off Australia’s east coast.
In an increasingly unstable environment, it is critical our NZDF are able to work closely with like-minded partners, as we did with the Australian Defence Force when the PLA-N task group entered our region.
No one country can face today’s challenges on its own.
We must be ready to step up to protect our security, economic interests, and democratic values, in partnership with other countries who share our interests.
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