Government seeks long-range strike drones with focus on local manufacturing

Wednesday 29 July 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated Wed 29 Jul, 3:55pm

In this story New Zealand Defence Force, Chris Penk

The Government is looking to purchase human-operated, one-way strike drones worth up to $300 million. Defence Minister Chris Penk stated that the Defence Capability Plan aims to prioritise New Zealand-made solutions to help modernise the Defence Force.

How they headlined it

3:20pm3:55pm

1. 1NewsWed 29 Jul, 3:20pm

   Govt eyes long-range strike drones, seeks Kiwi-made solutions (opens in new tab)

2. StuffWed 29 Jul, 3:55pm

   Defence Force ‘modernising’ with one way strike drones (opens in new tab)