Keir Starmer and New Zealand PM to sign a £30m weapons deal and extend Ukrainian training support

Keir Starmer will strengthen the UK’s defence ties with New Zealand during a meeting with the country’s Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, on Tuesday. The talks are set to extend bilateral military cooperation, focusing on support for Ukraine and a new £30 million weapons deal.

The UK Prime Minister and Luxon will discuss an extension of the training programme for Ukrainian troops, run jointly by the two countries as part of Operation Interflex. More than 54,000 Ukrainian soldiers have already been trained, and New Zealand is expected to commit to continuing its involvement until the end of the year.

The discussions come ahead of a critical meeting in London on Wednesday, where representatives from the UK, France, Germany, Ukraine, and the United States will convene to discuss further support for Ukraine. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will also attend. Despite significant efforts by the UK and France to offer a reassurance force to Ukraine in case of a ceasefire, the US has been more reluctant to support such proposals.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine expressed frustration last week with the US envoy’s approach, which he perceived as aligning too closely with Russia’s stance. This tension highlights the ongoing geopolitical divide over how best to support Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression.

In addition to the extension of the Ukrainian training programme, Starmer and Luxon will announce a new defence deal worth £30 million for drones. These drones, produced by Syos Aerospace, a New Zealand company with a factory in Hampshire, are becoming a critical tool in the war against Russia. Drones have increasingly outpaced artillery as a leading cause of battlefield casualties in Ukraine, underscoring their significance to modern warfare.

Starmer and Luxon will also task their respective defence ministers with updating the UK-New Zealand defence partnership, which was first established in 2015. This partnership has been a key component of the two nations’ ongoing military collaboration, which includes intelligence-sharing through the Five Eyes network.

Further strengthening their defence ties, the New Zealand Navy is providing the HMNZS Te Kaha frigate to join the UK’s carrier strike group, which is scheduled to depart from Portsmouth for the Indian Ocean on Tuesday. This deployment reflects the growing military cooperation between the two countries and their shared commitment to ensuring security in the Indo-Pacific region.

In his remarks, Starmer will highlight the deep historical and contemporary ties between the UK and New Zealand, from their shared military efforts at Gallipoli to their current collaboration on Operation Interflex and their support for Ukraine. “The UK and New Zealand have stood shoulder to shoulder for generations in pursuit of peace and stability,” Starmer will say.

He will also stress the importance of continued cooperation in the face of global instability. “As the world becomes an increasingly dangerous place, I am proud of how much we are doing together to support our national and economic security – stepping up our defence spending, deploying our navies together in the Indo-Pacific, and continuing our work to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position to deter an increasingly aggressive Russia.”

With both countries committed to bolstering their military and security efforts, the future of UK-New Zealand defence relations looks increasingly robust. This partnership signals the growing importance of international alliances in tackling global security challenges, particularly in the face of mounting threats from Russia and other geopolitical pressures.

THE INDEPENDENT

Sir Keir Starmer will host New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to deepen defence cooperation, including a visit to a military base where British and New Zealand troops train Ukrainian soldiers under Operation Interflex. New Zealand will extend its support for the programme until the end of the year, with over 54,000 Ukrainians trained so far. Starmer is also set to announce a £30 million deal for drones produced by New Zealand’s SYOS Aerospace, vital for Ukraine’s war efforts. The two leaders will initiate discussions on a new defence partnership to replace the 2015 agreement, reflecting the strong ties between the nations, both part of the Five Eyes intelligence network. They will also discuss trade and economic relations, with Starmer highlighting the shared commitment to global peace, security, and support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s aggression.

REUTERS

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon are set to deepen military and security ties during their meeting on Tuesday. The leaders will observe joint efforts to train Ukrainian forces in England, with Luxon confirming New Zealand’s support for the initiative through the end of the year. They will also discuss a new defence partnership to strengthen cooperation between the two nations. Starmer highlighted the long-standing alliance between Britain and New Zealand in promoting global peace and security, emphasising their shared commitment to increasing defence spending and bolstering support for Ukraine amidst rising threats from Russia.

GOV.UK

Prime Ministers Keir Starmer and Christopher Luxon will deepen UK-New Zealand defence and security relations, focusing on support for Ukraine. This includes extending New Zealand’s involvement in training Ukrainian soldiers under Operation Interflex, where over 54,000 soldiers have been trained. Additionally, a £30 million drone contract with SYOS Aerospace, a New Zealand company, will bolster Ukraine’s capabilities. The two nations will also enhance defence cooperation with a new partnership, replacing the 2015 agreement, and increasing military collaboration in the Indo-Pacific. Economic discussions will centre on trade growth, with a focus on free trade agreements and innovation in agricultural technology. Total trade between the UK and New Zealand increased by 5.3% to £3.6 billion in 2024. Both leaders emphasised the importance of national security, economic resilience, and international cooperation to tackle global challenges.