Leaders from Australia and New Zealand met in August 2025 to discuss ways to improve military cooperation. It can be noted that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a crucial meeting after a significant display of Chinese military power earlier in the year. They conducted an unprecedented live-fire exercise near their shores during the aforementioned meeting. The incident increased the urgency of their talks, showing a common view of a quickly changing strategic environment.
Prime Minister Luxon hosted the second annual summit in Queenstown. The discussions focused on improving how their armed forces work together. It can be mentioned that Luxon highlighted New Zealand’s commitment to stronger military ties, calling Australia the nation’s “only ally.” He shared a vision of transforming their combined military capabilities into a more effective force. Furthermore, he mentioned that New Zealand aimed to be a “force multiplier”, working towards creating “one, sort of, essential Anzac force essentially operating within our region”. It can be added to the above-mentioned details that this reference is connected to the historical bond of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, or Anzac, which dates back to their joint military efforts during World War I.
The recent Chinese military activity reminded everyone of the changing security environment. In February 2025, a flotilla from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy conducted a live-fire exercise in the Tasman Sea, the water separating Australia and New Zealand. The above-mentioned exercise was highly visible for its closeness and the disruption it caused, forcing several commercial airlines to change their flight paths. Observers saw the mission, which partly went around Australia, as a sign of Beijing’s growing military reach far from its home waters. Prime Minister Albanese confirmed that he raised worries about the lack of prior warning for the exercise with Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping in July.
In a joint statement, the two leaders recognized the current strategic environment as the most uncertain and dangerous in decades. Moreover, they strictly agreed that their alliance was a major key to protect and advance their mutual interests in the Indo-Pacific region. Both leaders praised the progress made in strengthening defense cooperation and integration over the past year. The statement also covered the topic of China, which is a significant trading partner for both countries. Prime Minister Albanese stated that Australia and New Zealand often discuss geostrategic competition, particularly among major powers, and they cooperate politically on these issues. Prime Minister Luxon pointed out that both countries had taken a similar approach in their dealings with China, stressing the importance of maintaining communication.
The meeting highlighted recent changes in defense policy for both nations. In April 2025, Prime Minister Luxon announced a strategic plan to improve the New Zealand Defence Force, with a focus on boosting its combat readiness. As part of this plan, New Zealand planned to double its defense spending to over 2% of its gross domestic product, which Luxon called a “big step up.” Meanwhile, Australia made a significant defense procurement announcement in early August 2025. The Australian government awarded a contract worth an estimated $6.5 billion to Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for building 11 frigates for the Royal Australian Navy.
The alignment of these defense initiatives and shared security concerns shows a broader dedication by both nations to strengthen their military capabilities and deepen their alliance. The focus on working together and creating a unified force highlights a shared understanding that a more integrated defense posture is necessary for managing the complexities of today’s geopolitical landscape and maintaining regional stability.
