Closer Tasman defence links

Press, 9 March 1982, Page 9

Closer Tasman defence links

Australia and New Zealand ■ have announced the signing of a new co-operation agreement in defence science and technology. A memorandum of understanding between the two i countries was signed some > time ago, but the announcet ment was delayed to coint cide with the meeting in s Brisbane on March 5 be--1 tween the Australian Defence Minister. Mr Janjes 1 Killen, and his New Zealand counterpart (Mr Thomson). t The Ministers said that tne i agreement was importam t because it recognised >. formally the. desire by bom e countries for continued close •- co-operation in defence. s, A statement by-the Austra-

lian Defence Department, issued after the meeting, said that the object of the cooperation would be to “use to the best advantage, and to the mutual benefit of both countries, the resources allocated to defence science and technology.” “It means that, the- New Zealanders can draw from our research into weaponry and other areas and we can ■ share their knowledge,” a Defence Department source said. The meeting was the latest in a series of routine and regular consultations, begun in 1977, on defence co-opera-tion between Australia and New Zealand.