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What is the total tagged-contingency provision for maritime fleet renewal across the Defence Capability Plan initiatives funded in Budget 2026 (including the Polar Patrol, Uncrewed Persistent Surveillance, and Transformation and Programme Costs initiatives, several of which have figures withheld for commercial sensitivity), and what is the forecast whole-of-life cost of the future naval fleet, if any?

Answered Question 24343 (2026)
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Asked by

Damien O'Connor

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • What is the total tagged-contingency provision for maritime fleet renewal across the Defence Capability Plan initiatives funded in Budget 2026 (including the Polar Patrol, Uncrewed Persistent Surveillance, and Transformation and Programme Costs initiatives, several of which have figures withheld for commercial sensitivity), and what is the forecast whole-of-life cost of the future naval fleet, if any?

Answered by

Hon Chris Penk

Member for Kaipara ki Mahurangi · National Party · Minister of Defence

Answer

Budget 26 has provided $51 million in operating funding over the next four years in the overall programme looking at the make-up of New Zealand’s maritime fleet. Further details on the Polar Patrol and Uncrewed Persistent Surveillance projects are subject to decisions by Cabinet and Ministers, and future commercial negotiations, so cannot be released at this time, but will be released in due course. No decisions have been made on the make-up of the future fleet.