Media Release

11 October 2015

NZDF To Host Combined Space Operations Meeting

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and the Ministry of Defence will host the annual Combined Space Operations (CSpO) Principals meeting from 12-13 of October 2015 in Wellington.

The Vice Chief of Defence Force, Air Vice-Marshal (AVM) Kevin Short will host delegates from Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and United States to discuss involvement and activities in space.

The CSpO initiative is intended to optimise resource, increase resilience of space systems, and enhance coordination on space activities between the five nations.

“Participating in the CSpO initiative will benefit NZDF by giving more effective and efficient access to information about space-based systems that support operations and tasks in our area of interest, said AVM Short.

“NZDF is tasked to contribute to a safe, secure and resilient New Zealand, deploy into difficult environments for humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions, and to patrol large maritime areas. Satellites enable us to effectively complete these tasks.”

New Zealand is also reliant on access to space-based systems in many aspects of everyday life including, communications, weather forecasting, navigation, and air traffic management. The NZDF relies on those same capabilities to undertake its roles and tasks.

“It is in New Zealand’s defence and security interests to participate in the CSpO initiative. CSpO allows us to coordinate and improve our space awareness capabilities,” he said.

ENDS

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