New Zealand to invest in drones, fleet to shield maritime routes

New Zealand intends to spend about NZ$1.6 billion ($936 million) on drones, ship maintenance and naval upgrades to bolster the island nation’s maritime security at a time of increasing concern about supply routes. Defence Minister Chris Penk said Saturday that the government will invest in two types of drones: one for the southwest Pacific to provide long-duration intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; the other is a polar-capable vehicle that can operate from naval vessels in the Southern Ocean. “New Zealand’s prosperity and security depend on the sea,” Penk said in a statement. “Recent events have served as a reminder of how…