New Zealand invests in cyber army

The New Zealand Defence Force wants to spend $469 million creating itself a new cyber army.

The kiwis have cut back on their defence force dramatically and this represents a huge investment from a nation which was once defended by six Skyhawks.

Under the plan, the new Network Enabled Army initiative would see combat units kitted out with drones and robots as well as sensors that would monitor the location, and the health and condition, of soldiers and vehicles.

The Defence Force has invited technology suppliers to a briefing day at its Trentham military base and hopes to take a business case to the cabinet in October.