Long-range, one-way strike drones worth up to $300 million are in the Government's sights for purchase under its Defence Capability Plan, with a particular focus on New Zealand-made solutions, Defence Minister Chris Penk says.
The drones being sought are human-operated, non-autonomous systems designed to deliver an explosive to a target without returning to their launch point — a lower-cost alternative to missiles.
"We will soon place with industry a request for information and while we will consider all viable options, we are especially interested in supporting local innovation, skills and industrial capability," Penk said.
Defence will also begin market research this week into a separate, unarmed capability: long-range uncrewed aircraft systems for maritime surveillance.
The Government has set aside up to $300 million for each project within the Defence Capability Plan.
Penk said the purchases would be part of a wider effort to address historical underinvestment, and comes as the international security environment becomes "increasingly unpredictable".
"We must ensure the New Zealand Defence Force can operate effectively, including alongside our partners, to deter potential threats and protect New Zealand’s security."
He also said the purchase was an economic opportunity, saying defence spending was increasingly viewed as a driver of skilled jobs and regional growth.
Penk pointed to New Zealand's existing expertise in advanced manufacturing, including digital technologies and uncrewed systems, as a reason to look to local suppliers.
"There is a growing number of businesses supporting Defence operations, including with firms developing drone and simulation technologies, and this is an opportunity to further locally led innovation."
One-way strike drones have become a defining feature of modern warfare.
Russia and Ukraine have fired millions of them at each other since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, with Ukraine using domestically built long-range models to strike Russian energy infrastructure and military assets deep inside Russian territory as part of its wider war effort.
On the other side, Russia adapted Iranian-designed drone technology to build its own version, which it has used to target Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure.
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