New Zealand to contribute nearly $24 million to US-built military satellite

New Zealand has committed $23.7 million, spread across two years, to help fund the 12th satellite of the U.S. Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) system, with launch expected at the earliest in 2028. The satellite will feature technology designed to protect communications for troops operating near jamming threats, according to the U.S. Space Force. In return for its financial share, New Zealand will receive a proportional allocation of the network's bandwidth, a capability the NZ Defence Force says is essential for its operations.

The contribution places New Zealand among ten international partners, including Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland and the United Kingdom, all of which are also funding the project. The nation previously invested $15 million in the WGS-11 satellite, which was delayed from its original launch schedule. Participation in the WGS program aligns with New Zealand's broader push to strengthen space-related defence capabilities and its involvement in the U.S.-led Operation Olympic Defender.