The Australian and New Zealand armies have built on their history of cooperation with the signing of a bilateral agreement termed Plan ANZAC.
The Australian and New Zealand Army Chiefs signed Plan ANZAC in New Zealand on 17 April.
In a statement released on 18 April, Defence said the bilateral agreement is designed to "increase capacity to operate together with a framework for engagement, enabling the two armies to exchange views and share situational awareness, capability, training and readiness".
Chief of Australian Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart said the agreement would increase cooperation between the two armies.
“Plan ANZAC builds on our significant history of partnership by strengthening our Army-to-Army relationships, enhancing interoperability, capacity, ability to jointly support combat operations as well as joint capabilities to meet today’s challenges,” Lieutenant General Stuart said.
“This partnership will see both armies better prepared to work together to support security and stability missions, and humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations.”
Chief of New Zealand Army Major General John Boswell said Plan ANZAC was a step forward for the trans-Tasman strategic partnership.
“Our armies have a deep history of operational service, organisational cooperation, regional partnerships, and mateship. For more than a century, we have served our nations, supported global peace and upheld regional stability – together. We will continue to do just that,” Major General Boswell said.
“Plan ANZAC will reflect a broader defence relationship, one that is open, based on mutual respect and is enduring.”
ADM will report further on the new bilateral agreement in our Premium newsletter next week.