Museum Street Strategies

AUKUS Joint Statement The White House released a statement marking the third anniversary of the AUKUS agreement between the US, UK and Australia. https://lnkd.in/g7VaQaBB Pillar Two of the AUKUS agreement aims to accelerate the development of advanced capabilities among the three partners with a short-term focus on improvements in interoperability in areas such as electronic warfare and command and control. In the longer term, it could integrate artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies into defence. This requires improving information sharing, technology transfer and reforming export controls. AUKUS partners with Japan, are exploring cooperation to enhance the interoperability of maritime autonomous systems, drawing on Japan's technical expertise. They also note consultations are underway with Canada, New Zealand, and South Korea to explore collaboration on advanced capabilities under Pillar Two, building on their close defence partnerships with AUKUS members. As previously indicated by MSS, this suggests that the NZ debate on "joining" AUKUS might be misguided, as the AUKUS partners consider engagements on a topic or project basis, rather than full member status. NZ has yet to release much detail on its interest - this briefing was released by the Ministry of Defence in March 2024 under the Official Information Act and was heavily redacted - https://lnkd.in/g6hsgeVp For more information contact Tim Hurdle or Ross Browne

The team at Museum Street Strategies had a successful time at Land Forces 24 in Melbourne. They caught up with clients, made some new connections and learned about the latest developments in defence technology and manufacturing. If you want to learn more - we are happy to brief you.

US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell travelled to New Zealand on 30 August to co-chair the U.S.-New Zealand Strategic Dialogue with senior NZ government officials and launch the inaugural Critical and Emerging Technology Dialogue. During this visit to the region, which included stops in Tonga and Vanuatu, Deputy Secretary Campbell discussed the United States' increased diplomatic efforts in the Pacific. He acknowledged that the US had previously neglected the region despite its significant historic, moral, and strategic interests, but said they are now engaging with the Pacific more regularly. During his visit to Auckland, Deputy Secretary Campbell also met with New Zealand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Rt Hon Winston Peters and Associate Minister of Defence Hon Chris Penk, respectively. This followed President Biden’s recent meeting with Prime Minister Luxon in Washington on the margins of the NATO Summit, where both leaders reiterated the importance of a strong and resilient partnership in the face of global challenges. The dialogue statement said discussions were on key global and regional issues, including developments in the Pacific, the wider Indo-Pacific strategic environment and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. They jointly expressed concerns over destabilising actions in the South China Sea by Chinese vessels. Their public statements emphasised the importance of international law, freedom of navigation, and peaceful dispute resolution. There was recognition of the increasing coordination between NATO and Indo-Pacific partners. New Zealand said the AUKUS trilateral partnership would enhance regional security and stability. New Zealand expressed interest in exploring potential collaboration on advanced capability projects under AUKUS Pillar II. Deputy Secretary Campbell welcomed the deepening coordination among NATO and the Indo-Pacific Partners (New Zealand, Australia, Japan and Republic of Korea) and there is a US proposal announced at the NATO summit, for their Foreign Ministers to meet with US Secretary of State Blinken later in 2024. Speaking with media after the event, he emphasised the United States increased engagement in the Pacific. He also supported greater investment in New Zealand’s defence capabilities. He signalled that the maritime domain was where he felt New Zealand was a natural contributor. This was linked to the forthcoming NZ Defence Capability Plan that will set out the New Zealand government’s investment in new defence equipment. Campbell expressed confidence that will increase New Zealand's military capacity. Clients will be receiving a more detailed readout on these events. For further insights into the wider NZ national security environment, contact Ross Browne or Tim Hurdle.

The Museum Street Strategies team will be attending Land Forces 2024 International Land Defence Exposition from 11-13 September 2024. Held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Victoria, Australia. The Land Forces 2024 International Land Defence Exposition is the premier platform for interaction between defence, industry and government of all levels, to meet, do business and discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the global land defence markets. Contact Ross Browne or Tim Hurdle if you want to have a chat.

United States Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell to Visit New Zealand US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt M. Campbell will be in Auckland on 30 August, where he will co-chair the U.S.-New Zealand Strategic Dialogue and meet with senior government officials. He will launch the inaugural High-Level Technology Dialogue. The U.S.-New Zealand Strategic Dialogue is a high-level forum for the United States and New Zealand governments to discuss their matters of mutual concern and to strengthen their strategic partnership. Both countries have a shared interest in promoting peace, security, and economic development in the wider Indo-Pacific region. The Dialogue provides an opportunity for both countries to review the breadth of their cooperation across various areas, including defence, Antarctica, the economy, and regional security issues. Campbell and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a productive meeting in Washington, D.C. on 9 July. They discussed ways to further strengthen the bilateral relationship, from defence to increased Pacific cooperation and economic ties. This was during the Prime Minister’s first visit to Washington and attendance at the NATO Summit. The Deputy Secretary and the New Zealand Prime Minister also reaffirmed the ongoing and deepening coordination on a range of security issues, including Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and preserving peace and stability in the South China Sea. Deputy Secretary Campbell was sworn in as the 22nd US Deputy Secretary of State on February 12, 2024. Prior to assuming this position, Deputy Secretary Campbell served as Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs on the National Security Council. He has been regularly engaged in NZ – US Foreign Relations and attended the inaugural Strategic Dialogue in 2010. He will also travel to Tonga and Vanuatu to promote the goals and achievements of the U.S. Pacific Partnership Strategy. The State Department says these engagements represent the latest in a series of high-level visits to the region by senior U.S. officials.  Contact Tim Hurdle or Ross Browne for further advice on the US NZ national security relationship.

AUKUS : Not New Zealand’s Choice? The debate about New Zealand being a party to the Pillar 2 aspect of the AUKUS agreement, has been the most fervent foreign policy debate in New Zealand for some time. The media reporting has portrayed this as though it is solely in New Zealand’s preserve to become part of the alliance. International discussion on AUKUS has focused on the potential of larger nations – Japan, South Korea and Canada – to be part of the agreement. Those countries have large and advanced militaries. With their strong industrial bases and technological capabilities, they could enhance the Pillar 2 aspects of the agreement. AUKUS members have previously said they will seek opportunities to engage their allies and close partners in Pillar 2 of the agreement. This focuses on developing a range of advanced capabilities. While there has been a big focus on the Pillar 1 acquisition of nuclear submarines, the second pillar contains some important work on the development of future defence capabilities. The Pillar 2 programme has eight workstreams which aim to share technology and to “foster deeper integration of security and defense-related science, technology, industrial bases, and supply chains”. These include cyber, AI, quantum technologies and hypersonic and counter-hypersonic capabilities. However, adding additional countries may be challenging and not proceed. An Australian diplomat said doing so was “complicated.” And he raised doubt the US Congress would open the pact beyond, Australia, the UK and the US. Report from Reuters https://lnkd.in/ge-ZGmig Raised in the context of possible collaboration with Japan, he was clear that Japan was not being invited into AUKUS. Given the strength of the world’s fourth largest economy, and clear technological base – not to mention US military links – they would be expected to be further up the queue than New Zealand. Similarly, Canada as a NATO ally and aligned with the UK and the US would be a far stronger candidate that New Zealand. At the recent NATO Summit, New Zealand aligned with the “Indo Pacific 4” – Japan, South Korea and Australia. This may emerge as a more important grouping for New Zealand’s national security and foreign policy. AUKUS might be the club we never got invited to join. For further insights and discussions on the implications for your business, please reach out to Tim or Ross.

I was pleased to discuss New Zealand’s latest package of support for Ukraine with President Zelenskyy at the NATO Summit. New Zealand stands with Ukraine, and supports its efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.

While Australian defence policy looks north, Kiwis focus west. New Zealand has always benefited from strategic isolation and the distance from international conflicts. But as global dangers increase, the reality of the geo-political situation is cutting through in New Zealand’s public discourse. With the active aggression of totalitarian powers like China and Russia causing disruption, New Zealand is waking up the threats they pose to the international order. Full story by Tim Hurdle available in 7 languages on our website, https://buff.ly/45YCCtg

NZ PM to attend NATO Summit in Washington DC The Beehive today announced that NZ Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will visit the United States from 9-12 July. While in Washington DC, he will participate in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Summit 2024. The Alliance is marking 75 years of the signing the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, D.C. by twelve countries which ensured their collective defence in an unpredictable world. Today, the Alliance of 32 North Atlantic countries share a commitment to democratic values and to peace through collective security. New Zealand was invited as one of NATO’s “global partners” alongside South Korea, Japan and Australia. PM Luxon will also meet bilaterally with a range of NATO Leaders. With counterparts from Australia, Japan and Korea, he will hold a meeting of the Indo-Pacific Four.  This is the third Summit in a row to which NATO has invited its four Indo-Pacific partners to discuss shared challenge. Australian PM Anthony Albanese won’t attend. Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles will represent Australia.   Key topics on the agenda are ·       Deterrence and Defence – reinforcement of the collective defence across all domains, ·       Assistance to Ukraine – helping them defend against Russian aggression. ·       Partnerships – improving relations with the EU and the IndoPac4. If you want to understand New Zealand's relationship with NATO better, contact Tim Hurdle or Ross Browne at Museum Street Strategies. #nato #collectivesecurity #indopac4   https://lnkd.in/eyKBY-K6

One of New Zealand’s leading economists comparing military expenditure data for Five Eyes countries.