New Zealand is sending a military aircraft with 50 defence force personnel to Europe to support Ukraine against the Russian invasion, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Monday.
The 50 New Zealand defence force (NZDF) personnel would be deployed primarily to Germany to support distribution and transport of military aid throughout Europe, Ardern said.
The aircraft, a NZDF C130 Hercules, will carry equipment and supplies around Europe.
The deployment of the aircraft and personnel will be for two months.
“At no point will they enter Ukraine, nor have they been asked to,” Ardern said.
The NZDF will also deploy eight logistics experts to Europe to support the movement of essential supplies to Ukraine, Ardern said.
In addition to the $11 million already contributed, New Zealand will also contribute $13.1m to further support Ukraine.
Here is what the $13.1m will go towards:
- $7.5m towards weapons and ammunition procurement
- $4.1m to support commercial satellite access for the Ukrainian defence intelligence
- $1m to support the ongoing monitoring of and accountability for human rights violations by Russia
- $500,000 to support the case against Russia before the International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court.
“Our aid, in all its forms, is to assist the Ukraine army to repel a brutal Russian invasion,” Ardern said.
“Peace in the region of Europe is essential for global stability. New Zealand is not immune to its impacts, so we have to make sure we play our role in its resolution.”
“Ultimately, New Zealand will keep looking at the ways we can make the greatest difference. Which is in the skills we can send, the logistics we can provide, and intelligence,” she said.
Top Image: A military aircraft. (File photo) Photo: Getty Images
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