Cabinet papers anticipate bigger New Zealand role in space security network
New Zealand signed on in August for another two years in Operation Olympic Defender, a multinational effort to protect satellites and other equipment operating in space. The operation covers the Five Eyes countries, the long-standing intelligence partnership of New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Britain and the United States, as well as France and Germany. According to RNZ, its aim is to keep those space assets working by preventing attack and interference.
New Zealand Cabinet papers state that there is already activity in space that threatens or interferes with satellite systems. They also state that withdrawing from the Olympic Defender network would not save money, and that taking part gives access to the capabilities of larger partners.
New Zealand's current involvement is at a minimum level. It consists of one liaison officer in America, who works as a link between the two countries, and cooperation from the New Zealand Defence Force's Space Operations Centre.
The Cabinet papers anticipate further development and planning of wider space-related activities by Olympic Defender. Before New Zealand takes part in those wider initiatives, approval from the Minister of Defence would be sought. That approval would be needed where there is benefit to New Zealand and where opportunities have policy, political or reputational implications.
The Defence Ministry would also seek direction from the minister if substantial developments might take New Zealand's role in the operation beyond its policy parameters. Under the operation's arrangements, each member nation retains command of its own personnel and decides how far it takes part, based on national policy, legal and operational caveats. Caveats are the conditions a country sets on what its forces can do. New Zealand's participation is guided by national interests and limited by national caveats that reflect its policy and legal settings.
