The Weapons Industry

The NZ Defence Industry Association has some 39 member companies. These companies collaborate to promote the sale of weapons and weapons related products and services to customers overseas and to expand their market. In some cases the products that they are selling are specifically developed for military use. Lower Hutt-based company MAS Zegrange, for example, manufactures weapons firing control systems and communication systems for mortar and artillery batteries. In other cases, the products or services are used for both civilian and military use and are being specifically marketed to the militaries of the world.

The NZ Government has been an active supporter of the Defence Industry Association. In 2003, Trade and Industry NZ gave $100,000 to Flexisolutions to develop its jungle-sweeper grenade. Along with these grants, Trade and Industry assist members to capitalise on export markets. Members of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and the New Zealand Ministry of Defence (MOD) are active supporters and participants in NZDIA activities. They participate through their Industry Liaison Managers who work closely with New Zealand companies to promote commercial opportunities in the supply of products and services.

Read about New Zealand's weapons companies:
Rakon Rakon has become an important supplier of specialised components for a range of guided weapons systems made by Rockwell for the US Government, most recently for a new generation of weapons.
Oscmar A bid to export military-style equipment to Israel's Ministry of Defence was rejected during the diplomatic row over the arrest here of the suspected Mossad spies, yet NZ officials have cleared 30 other contracts.
Right Hemisphere "Prime Minister Helen Clark said yesterday that the Cabinet had agreed to lend Right Hemisphere up to $US8m ($NZ12.2m) over three years to keep the joint-venture company and its staff in New Zealand... The company designs software for several US military suppliers, including Black Hawk helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft, Bell Helicopter, Halliburton, the principal supplier to US armed forces in Iraq, and Lockheed Martin, the world's largest defence contractor."
Air New Zealand's Tasman Aviation Enterprises has won a A$90 million ($NZ103 million) contract to maintain the engines of the Australian Air Force's F-111 strike aircraft.