New Zealand joined the United States-led operation in 2024 alongside existing partners Australia, Canada, France, Germany and the United Kingdom. The government’s decision extends the NZDF’s participation in the operation for a further two years, until August 2028.
New Zealand’s contribution will continue through one NZDF officer embedded at the United States Space Command in Colorado Springs, supported by the NZDF’s New Zealand Space Operations Centre and wider space domain awareness capabilities.
“Olympic Defender is designed to support the security, sustainability and resilience of the space domain by coordinating member nations’ space capabilities and enhancing space domain awareness,” a statement from the New Zealand Defence Force said.
“Space-based services play an important role in both New Zealand’s economy and military operations, supporting communications, satellite navigation, timing systems and intelligence collection.
“Participation in Olympic Defender helps assure continued access to these services and contributes to the safe and responsible use of space.
“Participation provides New Zealand with access to valuable space domain expertise and information, strengthens relationships with key defence partners, and helps safeguard the space-based services that modern economies, societies and military operations rely on every day.”
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