New Zealand soldiers are taking part in a major warfighting exercise simulating a conflict between allied and enemy forces in a fictional Asia-Pacific area.
The Defence Force says about 100 soldiers have joined their Australian counterparts in Queensland to test combat and combat support capabilities.
Exercise Diamond Run is one of three major warfighting exercises for both armies in the lead up to Exercise Talisman Sabre next year.
Held north of Rockhampton at Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area, the 454,000 hectare area includes two big airfields and an Urban Training Facility that simulates a town.
NZ Army Major Tamaroa Wawatai said the initiative enabled both armies to share situational awareness and develop a common understanding of tactics, doctrine, and operational concepts.
READ MORE
- Australia joins defence exercise in contested South China Sea
- NZ endorses US push to expand weapons-making defence industrial base
- NZ embeds itself in US Space Force, which is talking up Chinese threat
- Luxon's NATO talks bring home what's at stake for New Zealand
It was vital New Zealand soldiers took part in large and complex military exercises with allies and partners as it puts interoperability and sharing of resources "into action", he said.
Commander of Australian Army's 7th Brigade, Brigadier Giles Cornelia, DSM, CSM, said combined exercises under Plan ANZAC - the bilateral agreement between the two armies - increase interoperability between the two armies.
"Australia and New Zealand are the best of mates. Together we are generating readiness for land combat operations, security and stability missions and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
"As allies we have a mutual commitment to support each other's security, coordinate our efforts in the South Pacific and maintain a combined focus on the security and stability of our broader region."
The exercise started last week and runs for nearly three weeks.
