The UK and New Zealand hope to strengthen their defence and economic relationship. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosts New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon for high-level talks in London
The visit hopes to deepen military cooperation, support Ukraine, and improve joint efforts to ensure global security and economic growth.
Improving military cooperation through Operation Interflex
A key focus of the discussions is the ongoing military collaboration under Operation Interflex, a programme where the UK and New Zealand personnel have trained over 54,000 Ukrainian soldiers.
During the visit, New Zealand is expected to confirm an extension of its involvement in the initiative until the end of 2025, underscoring its commitment to international stability.
In a further show of military cooperation, the Royal New Zealand Navy frigate HMNZS Te Kaha will join the UK Carrier Strike Group as it departs Portsmouth for the Indo-Pacific region. The deployment shows the growing security presence of both nations in the Indo-Pacific, a region increasingly seen as strategically vital.
Drone deal to boost UK jobs and support Ukraine
As part of the visit, the UK government announced a £30 million contract with SYOS Aerospace, a New Zealand-owned drone manufacturer based in Hampshire.
The deal will see drones produced in Ukraine, creating 45 jobs at the Fareham-based facility and supporting nine other UK subcontractors. This deal ties into the UK’s wider economic strategy to boost high-skilled jobs and reinforce its defence manufacturing base.
Both countries have committed to increasing defence spending, with the UK raising its budget to 2.5% of GDP and New Zealand to 2%.
Defence ministers have been tasked with creating a new joint defence partnership, replacing the existing agreement signed in 2015. The updated arrangement shows the evolving security environment and ensures the UK-New Zealand relationship remains strong and adaptable for the future.
Trade and economic ties
The leaders are also using the visit to explore deeper economic ties. Trade between the UK and New Zealand reached £3.6 billion in the year to September 2024, a 5.3% increase compared to the previous year. The two nations are now looking to expand cooperation through the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership and the recently signed Free Trade Agreement.
This comes along with a series of bilateral commercial successes, including Scottish firm Emergency One winning a ten-year contract to supply 186 emergency vehicles to Fire and Emergency New Zealand. The deal supports 25 new jobs in East Ayrshire and is seen as a significant win for UK manufacturing exports.
Agricultural technology is another area of growing collaboration. A new Investor Partnership agreement will see New Zealand invest in British small and medium-sized enterprises developing innovative farming technologies. The initiative aims to improve sustainable agriculture, support food security, and drive growth in both countries.
The UK and New Zealand partnership shows a joint commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity.
