“We are reinforcing our relations with partners in the Indo-Pacific region. In addition, we see plenty of opportunities to deepen defense materiel cooperation,” Häkkänen was quoted as saying in a statement released by the Finnish government ahead of the trip.

He caught up with Defense News in Wellington for a brief interview.

What NATO assets is Finland prepared to host?

When we joined NATO, we were prepared, nationally, to defend ourselves. As a NATO member, our first responsibility is a strong national defense with lots of European assets in the Navy, Air Force and also in space nowadays.

We have established NATO’s northern Europe land headquarters in the Arctic area, on Finnish soil. So we are leading the land defense.

What are your priorities for Finland’s defense?

We have four pillars in our defense policy. The first one is that Finland, by itself, has to be always, always, ready to defend our own country.

Second is a strong NATO in northern Europe. Now we have built NATO’s capabilities to operate in Arctic areas, so we are really happy to see that NATO is ever more able to act in the north.

Third is defense cooperation with different countries. Some countries — for example, the United States and European countries — are in operational planning on how to act together in crisis situations, so that’s the third pillar. Supporting NATO’s Article five. 

And the fourth pillar is comprehensive security. We have to have enough from our own country: energy, food, equipment from the defense industry. We have civil shelters for almost 5.5 million people [editor’s note: much of Finland’s total population], and the whole society has to be prepared to act in crisis mode. Every company has to plan how they can operate, even if war starts. 

We are developing and investing heavily in those pillars. The Finnish way to do things is cost-effective, high-quality and win-win. We are not just saying that Finland needs something; we’re also ready to provide our knowledge and our expertise.

How do your NH90 operations compare with New Zealand’s?

There were difficulties at the start. But now our special forces and our land forces are using the NH90 and they have been customized to Finnish needs, to our special environment. Our pilots are really satisfied, and when they have compared NH90 to some other equipment that is now in the market, they think that this is still the best one. 

How is Finland supporting Ukraine?

Heavily, by all the political levels. We are heavy supporters of Ukrainian military from our stocks. We are giving a lot of money, because we see that if Ukraine doesn’t stop Russia, Russia’s hunger will grow for Europe and they will do something nasty.

Supporting Ukraine is also supporting our own security, and it shows all the other dictators around the world that democratic nations are united to support Ukraine and oppose violence against neighbors. That’s why we are really happy to see that New Zealand is also [supporting] Ukraine. 

France has offered to extend its nuclear deterrent to Europe; what do you think of that proposal?

Let me be clear: NATO’s nuclear deterrence comes [from] U.S. weapon systems, that’s for sure, but France gives an additional, extra deterrence, and that will create some strategic dilemmas for Putin.

What keeps you awake at night?

My kids! I have two small kids, and I live at the eastern border, at the Russian border, so I’m cool. I fish there, in beautiful lakes, and I have my house there with my family, so I’m taking it easy, like everyone who lives [there]. That’s a strong border. 

We have always tried to have diplomatic relations with Russia, but throughout history, from Catherine the Great to Peter the Great, Russians have always been willing to use violence against their own people, but also against their neighbors.

That’s why Finland has been always pragmatic in defense and security; you have to always be ready. That’s why we are so cool and calm. There [are] a million reservists in Finland; everyone has had military training. We know that Russia is a threat, but we have to just do our stuff, be prepared to invest heavily, keep our friends close, get new friends globally and do stuff right — that’s the Finnish way to handle a difficult security situation.

The Joint Expeditionary Force – is that proving useful?

JEF is one of the most important defense operations for Finnish and northern Europe’s defense. We think that the most valuable part of JEF is that it can react fast; JEF has already operated, so there’s no need to wait for some kind of clear Article Five case.

How can New Zealand’s forces support yours?

Well, we are now having this dialogue between our partners … there’s different kinds of possibilities with different organizations. For example, today we discussed space capabilities; Finland has a lot of space companies and a lot of technological expertise, but New Zealand has different kinds of space capability, launching, for example. Also countering problems with undersea cables.

Do you see Ukraine joining NATO?

Maybe someday. Ukraine’s path is to the West, to their democratic alliances in Europe. But all the NATO countries have to approve it, and the U.S. and other countries have said no at this point.

About a quarter of New Zealand’s defense force consists of women; do you know the percentage of women in Finland’s forces?

It’s much smaller, but it’s rising. All the men are obliged to participate, and it’s voluntary for women. The number of women are growing now because everyone in Finland wants to participate.

Is everyone still happy in Finland?

Yeah, we’re the happiest nation in the world, for nine years in a row. Even though there’s some challenges and dark clouds in the war in Europe, still people in Finland are quite cool.

Russia is building new military infrastructure near our borders, so we have to do more for our security. But we can do it; it’s not a big problem.

I’m optimistic. The Finnish mindset … it’s kind of a mix-up of reason and optimism. You face the world as it is. You have to adapt, take your chances, find the possibilities in economy, security and do the best that you can do.

Arrangements are underway to transition responsibilities to the Vice Chief of Defence Force, Rear Adm. Mat Williams, who will serve as Acting Chief of Defence Force.

Air Marshal Davies said: “The resignation is for personal reasons, and results from errors of judgement made by me in the past, for which I am taking responsibility. The errors of judgement were contrary to the values of the Defence Force.

“These matters revolved around an inappropriate relationship I had when in a position of unit command, and I regret not disclosing this when I had the opportunity to do so.”

Appointed as the Chief of Air Force from 2016 before becoming the Vice Chief of Defence Force in 2018, Air Marshal Davies, born 1966, was promoted to his current rank on appointment to Chief of Defence Force on June 6, 2024.

The Chief of Army, Maj. Gen. Rose King, will act as Chief of Defence Force until Sunday before Williams takes on the role.

A follow-on agreement to the November 2024 Tasman Navy Framework (TNF), the new pact is meant to be a strategic guidance document governing the relationship between the two navies, a NZDF spokesperson said.

“It established the strategic dialogue architecture, defines the overarching goal of strengthening organizational and operational integration, and outlines the functional areas of cooperation,” the spokesperson told Defense News.

One new element includes an annual navy-to-navy strategic dialogue, led by the two deputy service chiefs, complete with working group devoted to various cooperation tasks, according to the spokesperson.

The new pact supports both nations’ commitment to closer defense relations and a shared vision of increasingly integrated naval cooperation aimed at securing the Indo-Pacific region.

Established in 1901, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has 16,000 sailors — about eight times more than the RNZN — and eight bases. The RNZN has one base, Devonport, in Auckland. Women provide about 25% of the personnel in both navies.

Seven Anzac-class 387-foot frigates serve with Australia and two with New Zealand. The frigates, like most of the RNZN fleet, will reach their end of life in the mid-2030s.

In April 2026 the RAN signed a contract for 11 Mogami-class frigates. New Zealand has yet to decide between the Japanese design or Britain’s Type 31 frigate, ordered by Indonesia and Poland.

In August 2025, the RNZN ordered five MH-60R Seahawks to replace its existing Kaman Seasprites, which have been in service since 2001.

New Zealand is also strengthening its regional defense links.

In December 2025 New Zealand signed defense agreements with Japan. Two Japanese warships visited New Zealand last year and a Mogami-class frigate was in Wellington in May this year.

Two months later, India and New Zealand signed a defense cooperation agreement and pledged to strengthen maritime security cooperation after upgrading their diplomatic relations.

The NZDF is among the handful of government agencies exempt from trimming their budgets by 2% this year.

Their funding includes $2.3 billion capital and $1.2 billion operating funding to retain NZDF personnel — currently more than 15,000 people — increase numbers in key areas and improve accommodation and training facilities at military bases across the country. Intelligence and communication security services receive $156 million.

The operating funding includes $120 million over four years to bring NZDF pay closer to market rates and $174 million to meet increased deployment costs.

The Maritime Fleet Renewal program includes $143 million capital and $72 million operating costs over four years for critical maintenance on the Royal New Zealand Navy’s (RNZN) two Anzac-class frigates and the strategic sealift vessel HMNZS Canterbury, while developing options for their replacement.

The RNZN is also funded for introducing two types of drones. One will be used in the south-west Pacific to provide long-duration surveillance data, while the other is polar-capable and will conduct missions from naval vessels in the Southern Ocean. Sustaining the Anzac frigates, in service since 1997 and 1999, respectively, includes $14.9 million for communications upgrades.

There’s $1.5 million of capital funding, alongside $16 million of operating funding, to begin work on the Technology Accelerator program, which focuses on connecting industry with the NZDF to solve specific military challenges.

Major defense projects include $2.6 million on the maritime helicopter replacement and $60.5 million on a Future Air Mobility Capability, a figure set to more than double in the next fiscal year.

Supplying the Bushmaster armored vehicles with communications gets $13 million and $25.6 million goes toward utility vehicle replacement costs.

Willis said this is the second year of the Defence Capability Plan (DCP), expected to average $85.5 million per year over the next four years. She cautioned that the world is more volatile than ever. “The rules-based global system is under strain. Countries are boosting their spending on defense.”

Tucked into the budget is $42 million for the clean-up, salvage and other costs — previously estimated at $32 million —arising from the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui, due to human error, in October 2024.

Penk will also take over Collins’ Space, Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) and New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) portfolios.

Penk is the first defense minister to have previously served with both New Zealand and Australian forces. He joined the Royal New Zealand Navy in 2000, serving as an officer of the watch on the Anzac-class frigate HMNZS Te Kaha.

He joined the National Party and was elected to Parliament in September 2017.

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is currently experiencing a significant increase in integration with the Australian Defence Force (ADF), aiming for an increasingly integrated, interchangeable force by 2035.

This initiative, formalized earlier this year, involves embedding personnel in each other’s units, shared capability development, and synchronized training to operate as a “joint force” in response to a deteriorating security environment.

For example, Royal NZ Air Force units have been operating under ADF call signs, while embedded within Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) units.The two nations aim to operate seamlessly together by 2035, serving as force multipliers for one another while maintaining sovereign independence. Australian and New Zealand officers are serving in senior positions in each other’s command structures.

The NZDF’s operational expansion is not limited to neighboring Australia. An Air Commodore has this year been appointed to New Delhi to serve as New Zealand’s Defence Advisor to India. Previous officers in that role have been resident elsewhere.

The India-New Zealand Memorandum of Understanding for Defence Cooperation was signed just over a year ago.

Closer to home is the state of New Zealand’s relationships with South Pacific states, including the Cook Islands and the Solomons, which rely upon Wellington for their security and foreign affairs. China has been encouraging Pacific islands to accept contentious ties with Beijing.

In December 2025, Chief of Defence Air Marshal Tony Davies told Parliament that the country needs to be able to increase its armed forces “significantly and quickly.”

Davies said the NZDF, which has over 15,000 personnel, had cut the average time it took to recruit personnel from 300 days to under 200 and are aiming for just 90 days.

Defence spending, recently around 1% of GDP, is budgeted to reach 2% over the next seven years. In April 2025 the coalition government’s prime minister, Chris Luxon, said current defense spending is too low. However, he has since declared an election in November and politicians will be wary of upsetting voters.

The aircraft flew from Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley, near Brisbane, via Norfolk Island, to RNZAF Base Auckland, a distance of 1,765 miles over water. The longest leg of the trip, 660 miles, took around four and a half hours.

Both of the 3 Squadron aircraft landed safely home at RNZAF Base Ohakea Sept. 30.

The flight broke the RNZAF NH90s’ previous over-water record, achieved at the end of last month, of 521 miles across the Coral Sea Basin between Australia and Papua New Guinea.

New Zealand’s air component commander, Air Commodore Andy Scott, said the long-distance flight was important because it demonstrated the utility of the aircraft and the ability for it to self-deploy over a vast area.

“These types of flights give our crews confidence in the system,” he said.

The squadron’s commanding officer, Wing Commander Chris Ross, said the flight gave crews the opportunity to gain valuable long-distance flying skills: “It’s a terrific achievement.”

The marathon flight had been a long time coming, with the capability signed off in 2023, but the opportunity hadn’t arisen until this year, said Squadron Leader Lachie Johnston, the NH90 flight commander.

“We knew the aircraft could do it and we knew the crews were appropriately trained,” Johnston said. “It’s not unheard of for helicopters to fly long trips, but this is a unique capability in the context of doing such long legs over large bodies of water.”

New Zealand defense leaders selected the European-designed NH90 in 2005 to replace the RNZAF’s UH-1 Iroquois, and eight have been in service since 2015, with a ninth serving as an extra.

The new Airbus aircraft will cost NZ$700 million, while the Seahawks will run NZ$2 billion.

The RNZAF has operated the SH-2G(I) Seasprite since 2015. The new Seahawks, meanwhile, will provide a 600-mile range, approximately one-third greater than the Seasprite.

The two B757-200, which first flew in 1993, have been in RNZAF service since 2003 and were modified to 757-2K2 status in 2007 with the addition of an upper deck cargo door, strengthened floor, upgraded engines and improved avionics.

The Airbus A321XLR has a range of 5,400 miles, compared to the 4,485-mile range of the B757s. The extra range will enable flights to Antarctica to return safely to New Zealand if they cannot land due to ice or weather conditions.

Defence Minister Judith Collins and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters made the announcement Aug. 21. It is the first major investment decision to be made as part of the Government’s Defence Capability Plan (DCP), released in April this year.

A complementary Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) capability will be progressed after the helicopter procurement.

“This decision will ensure New Zealand has a critical combat capable, interoperable and dependable fleet,” Collins said. “The MH-60R Seahawk is a great aircraft for what New Zealand needs and fulfills our objective of having a more integrated Anzac force, and the new planes will give us reliable aircraft to deploy personnel and respond to international events.”

New Zealand will be the fifth overseas customer for the Seahawk.

“The DCP provides the foundation for our uplift in defence spending, and two yearly reviews of the plan will allow us to adapt to an ever-changing security environment,” Peters said.

Collins highlighted that the maritime helicopters are versatile and add combat and deterrent capability to the naval fleet.

“These five Seahawks will increase the offensive and defensive capability and surveillance range of New Zealand’s [two Anzac-class] frigates and ensure we are interoperable with our ally Australia and other partner defence forces,” she said.

Collins rejected a suggestion that replacing eight Seasprite helicopters with five Seahawks would mean a reduction in capability because the current fleet were so old they were only able to operate [part] of the time.

“The two new Airbus A321XLR aircraft will be acquired on a six-year lease-to-buy arrangement, with capital costs of $620 million and four-year operating costs of $80.86 million.”

Collins made the announcement exactly a week after opening a new hangar at Ohakea air base for the RNZAF’s four P-8A Poseidons, an event which included a P-8 from both Australia and the U.S.

She described the new hangar as a strategic asset to the whole of New Zealand and said it cost “more than NZ$250 million. You can’t make use of the P-8 without this secure facility.”

Speaking to Defense News, Collins said, “I think we are very focused on our security as a nation, but also on pulling our weight when it comes to things like search and rescue. We are not aggressive people, but we know that sometimes we are going to have to stand up for ourselves.”

Asked about the relatively modest lethality of New Zealand’s defense force, she added, “Let me tell you that if people want to attack our people they should expect that they might get hurt back.”

“We work very closely with the U.S. We’re all Pacific partners.”

“Space is vital for modern life,” New Zealand’s Minister for Space Judith Collins, whose portfolio also includes Defense, said at an inauguration ceremony with top military brass, including Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Tony Davies and Chief of Air Force Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb.

“We rely on space-based infrastructure for a range of critical services, from weather observation to financial transactions,” Collins said.

The squadron’s initial focus will be on monitoring, analyzing and understanding space activity to safeguard national and international interests, she added.

Webb said New Zealand recently joined the U.S.-led Operation Olympic Defender, a seven-nation multinational space defense initiative, giving New Zealand a voice and view in the grouping about responsible space behavior.

“Primarily it is about ensuring the continued, free, safe and assured access to space-based services … through deterring any likely action that might occur,” he said.

According to Air Commodore Andy Scott, air component commander at Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand, the new squadron of 12 individuals will grow over time, “working with industry, working with academia.”

Currently, the squadron is working closely with the U.S. Space Force, leading what’s known as the Pacific Cell, Scott explained. “It’s between us, Australia, Japan and the Republic of Korea.”

New Zealand has been active in space based matters for at least a decade, in July 2015 joining the Combined Space Operations (CSpO) military initiative, which includes Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the U.S.

In March 2017 the country joined Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands and Luxembourg in funding the launch of a satellite (WGS-9) for military access to the entire Wideband Global Satellite constellation.

New Zealand also participates, together with Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, and the United Kingdom, in the U.S. Space Force’s annual Schriever Wargames. The drill tests policy, legal and operational approaches to hypothetical space security challenges arising in the future.

Originally formed in 1943, No. 62 Squadron provided allied forces with radar operations in the Pacific in Bougainville and the Solomon Islands, including the Guadalcanal campaign, for more than a year until October 1944.

The motto of the new squadron: ”Look to the stars.”

“To achieve this, the government has allocated $2.7 billion of capital and $563 million of operating funding for priority projects identified in the Defence Capability Plan we released last month,” she said.

Spending priorities include replacing the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s only strategic airlifters, two Boeing 757s-2K2, acquired second-hand in 2003 and updated in 2007.

Replacing the fleet of eight Seasprite SH-2G(I) maritime helicopters is also on the docket. Operated since 2015, only five remain operational, with three now used for parts as they near the end of their service life, Collins recently stated.

Also on the shopping list: New versions of the Javelin anti-armor missile, encrypted radios to provide deployed Army units with secure voice communication, and a counter-drone system.

Officials also want to upgrade Devonport Naval Base, invest in homes for defense families, modernize the defense vehicle fleet and grow digital and information management projects.

The Ministry of Defence, with roughly 200 staff, receives nearly $26 million.

New Zealand’s defense spending is scheduled to reach 2% of GDP by 2032/33. That level of military spending was last achieved in 1982.

“We can’t have prosperity without security. That’s why we’re [doubling] defense spending to 2% of GDP over the next eight years,” Prime Minister Christopher Luxon posted on X after the country’s long-awaited Defence Capability Plan (DCP) was released April 7.

The document says the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) needs to be able to project force to deter adversaries.

“While the initial investment will be focused on selecting the first asset/s (ships, planes, or vehicles) to be equipped with missiles, future refreshes will consider expanding this to other assets, potentially delivering long range strike from multiple domains,” the plan reads.

The 48-page document describes investment options out to 2040 for a beleaguered NZDF that lacks personnel, has inadequate accommodation, a naval base troubled by silt, air bases with corroded runways and taxiways — and three warships without sailors.

There will be a planned commitment within the next four years of NZ$12 billion (US$ 6.6 billion) in capability and enablers. Progress will be reviewed every two years, officials said.

“Just because we’re small doesn’t mean we’re insignificant,” said Minister of Defence Judith Collins. “We’re a maritime nation.”

Political and public interest in naval affairs was accentuated in February by the presence of a Chinese naval flotilla, including a 439-foot frigate, a 586-foot replenishment vessel and a 591-foot cruiser in the Tasman Sea.

Their voyage around Australia included an unexpected live-firing exercise which led commercial flights between New Zealand and Australia to be diverted. However, Luxon says the DCP is not targeted at any particular country and there is no change to the country’s anti-nuclear policy.

The current NZDF workforce consists of approximately 8,700 Regular Force personnel, 3,300 reserves and 3,000 civilians. “While the exact growth will be determined by in-depth analysis as capabilities are developed, it is estimated that to support the delivery of this plan, by 2040 NZDF will have grown by around 2,500 people,” the plan reads.

“Up to NZ$1 billion plus” will be spent before 2029 on improving housing and real estate, the document adds.

In the same period the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s (RNZAF’s) two Boeing 757s will be replaced, at up to $NZ1 billion; the Army’s Light Armored Vehicles (LAVs) will get new turrets and more than NZ$1 billion will be spent on “Enterprise Resource Planning.”

The military will buy new drones, both aerial and sea-going, and stock up on Javelin anti-tank missiles.

Sustaining the Royal New Zealand Navy’s two Anzac-class frigates, 26 and 28 years old, respectively, will cost up to NZ$600 million over the next four years; replacing their Kaman SH-2G(I) Seasprite helicopters is estimated at more than NZ$2 billion, officials here project.

In the decade to 2039, the NZDF “will look at” replacing weapon systems, including 105mm light guns (in service since the late 80s), the LAVs and the Army’s heavier vehicles, upgrades for the recently introduced C-130J-30 Hercules and the establishment of an Information Warfare Academy.

The NH90 and A109 helicopter fleets may be increased, updated or replaced, and the P-8As will be upgraded. Increased attention will be given both to acquiring drones and defending against them, the plan envisions.

“New Zealand will seek to procure the same assets and equipment as Australia where it makes sense to do so. This will help interoperability,” the document reads.