WELLINGTON - The New Zealand government's upcoming budget will include new funding of NZ$571 million ($344 million) for defense force pay and projects.
Defense Minister Judith Collins said on Friday that NZ$163 million of the additional funding will go to improving remuneration for New Zealand defense force personnel and NZ$408 million to upgrading equipment and infrastructure.
Subject to Cabinet approval, the projects with the funding allocated through Budget 2024 are the next phase of an upgrade to the NH90 helicopter navigation systems and radios; modernizing devices and productivity tools; upgrading some digital services; and improving national maritime domain awareness, among others, Collins said.
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The next step is to consider options for an updated Defense Capability Plan which will shape the future investment decisions around the equipment New Zealand needs, she said.
