Defence Minister Judith Collins has announced a dormant Air Force squadron from WWII will become the Defence Force’s first dedicated space unit.
Collins announced that No. 62 Squadron — which supported allied efforts in the war through radar technology before disbanding in October of 1944 — would have a new mission: Space domain awareness.
“The squadron’s initial focus will be on monitoring, analysing, and understanding space activity to safeguard national and international interests,” Collins said.
She said global developments had highlighted the need for “resilient, advanced defence capabilities”.
“This move is part of the work the New Zealand Defence Force is doing to maintain a combat-capable, flexible force.”
Collins said the new unit showed New Zealand’s commitment to protecting its interests and security in the “rapidly evolving” space domain.
“Space is vital for modern life. We rely on space-based infrastructure for a range of critical services, from weather observation to financial transactions.
“This is an important signal that we’re taking space security seriously””
The reactivation was part of the Government’s Defence Capability Plan, which outlined $12 billion of commitments to upgrade New Zealand’s defence force over the next four years.
