Summarised by Centrist
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has been participating in US-led military exercises deploying artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance “kill chains” – a series of steps to identify and neutralise targets.
These exercises, involving six nations, aim to integrate allied war-fighting technology, countering China’s influence. In a recent California exercise, AI-driven sensors in an F35 jetfighter instantly passed targeting data to an unmanned drone. Additionally, surveillance firm Palantir provided a “meta constellation” of submarine-hunting satellites, showcasing advanced capabilities.
US military leaders emphasise achieving a “kill web” – an interconnected system of allied forces and technology. The NZDF’s involvement underscores its commitment to interoperability with allies, despite challenges in its own $180m tech project for networking the armed forces.
New Zealand’s government has faced criticism for shutting down an expert advisory group on lethal autonomous weapons while the UN struggles to set international limits on such technologies. The NZDF has participated in Project Convergence and regular quarterly exercises, though these activities are less publicised.
The exercises showcase the growing role of AI in warfare, reducing joint kill chain times from minutes to seconds.
Palantir’s MetaConstellation system, used in the South China Sea, demonstrates the importance of space-based platforms for real-time situational awareness. The involvement in these advanced military technologies raises questions about the costs for New Zealand.
