Orion to remain in Gulf to support ongoing operations
Orion to remain in Gulf to support ongoing operations
Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee says a Royal New Zealand Air Force P3 Orion aircraft will remain in the Gulf region for another 12 months to provide ongoing support to regional maritime operations.
“New Zealand has had a P3 Orion supporting international counter-piracy operations as part of the Combined Maritime Forces since earlier this year and that deployment is coming to a close,” Mr Brownlee says.
“The Orion has performed a valuable role that has been welcomed by our international partners.
“New Zealand has a long-held commitment to peace and security operations in the Middle East.
“As a trading nation we have a direct interest in ensuring that global shipping routes are protected from piracy and transnational crime.
“Our decision to extend the deployment of a P3 Orion to the Gulf until December 2015 is a reflection of the importance New Zealand attaches to multilateral security efforts,” Mr Brownlee says.
As part of a detachment to the United States Naval
Forces Central Command the aircraft will contribute to a
range of maritime security operations.
ends