The New Zealand Defence Force’s first dedicated space squadron will be critical in ensuring a “combat-capable, flexible force,” while further elevating the nation’s role in the rapidly evolving domain, leaders say.
“Space is vital for modern life,” Defence Minister Judith Collins said at the July 2025 launch of Royal New Zealand Air Force No. 62 Squadron in Auckland. “We rely on space-based infrastructure for a range of critical services, from weather observation to financial transactions.”
The squadron will monitor and analyze space activity “to safeguard national and international interests,” Collins, who also serves as space minister, stated. “Recent global developments have highlighted the need for resilient, advanced defence capabilities.”
Collins outlined emerging threats during the panel discussion “Cyber, Undersea and Outer-Space Defence Challenges” at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore in May 2025, where she also unveiled plans for the new squadron.
IMAGE CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
“The increasing importance of space-based services is making satellites and their supporting infrastructure increasingly attractive targets for hostile action, despite the wide-ranging and deeply harmful impacts that could arise from the use of weapons in space,” she said. “We are particularly concerned by reports that Russia is considering placing a nuclear weapons system into space.”
Under its 2025 Defence Capability Plan, New Zealand will increase annual defense spending to more than 2% of gross domestic product over eight years. Developing space technologies is among the priority initiatives.
The remote nation, which is about 2,000 kilometers from Australia, has become a major launch site for satellites and other space payloads in collaboration with private and public entities, including the United States space agency NASA. In 2021, New Zealand joined the Artemis Accords, a U.S.-led initiative to enhance cooperation in the peaceful exploration and use of outer space. Nearly 60 nations have signed the agreement, although China and Russia are not among them.
In 2025, New Zealand joined Operation Olympic Defender, a U.S. Space Command-led coalition to deepen cooperation among Allies and Partners to deter aggression in space and ensure access to all.
“New Zealand has always invested very strongly in international defence partnerships, and this is very much the case for our defence space activities,” Collins told Shangri-La Dialogue delegates. “Space is inherently a global domain. No nation can work on space alone. … We are actively working with our partners to leverage our launch capabilities and our other unique advantages, such as a lack of immediate neighbors, to support our shared security interests.”
The space squadron traces its roots to a World War II radar unit that supported allied forces in the Pacific theater, including in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.
“In the 21st century, 62 Squadron will again turn to the skies,” Collins said at the annual security forum. “It is just going to be a little bit higher this time.”
