New Zealand and Australia seek closer military ties

The leaders of Australia and New Zealand agreed to strengthen military cooperation in the face of heightened regional tensions, including a Chinese live-fire naval drill earlier this year.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met on Saturday in New Zealand, where they highlighted the need for improved interoperability between their armed forces.

Luxon called Australia New Zealand's "only ally" and called for a unified Anzac force, referring to the Australian New Zealand Army Corps, operating across the region.

Albanese reaffirmed their shared commitment to regional stability.

The summit comes after Chinese naval vessels conducted a live-fire exercise in the Tasman Sea in February without prior notification, an action that disrupted commercial flights and prompted Canberra and Wellington to seek deeper defense alignment.