Army chiefs renew Plan ANZAC
The New Zealand Army has reinforced its long-standing commitment with Australia with the signing of the renewed Plan ANZAC in Canberra yesterday.
CAPTION: The new Chief of the Australian Army Lieutenant General Susan Coyle (left) with the Chief of the New Zealand Army Major General Rose King at Australian Army Headquarters, Canberra, sign a renewed Plan ANZAC. Photo. by Corporal Robert Whitmore.
Plan ANZAC is a bilateral agreement between the New Zealand and Australian Armies, designed to support the two nations to train, deploy and operate together more effectively.
Signed by the new Chief of the Australian Army Lieutenant General Susan Coyle and Chief of the New Zealand Army Major General Rose King at Australian Army Headquarters, the agreement enhances interoperability through aligning capability, training and readiness to respond to emerging operational challenges.
The signing marks Lieutenant General Coyle’s first official engagement as Australia’s Chief of Army, underscoring the significance of the New Zealand-Australia defence relationship and the priority both nations place on continued Army-to-Army cooperation.
Plan ANZAC recognises the deep historical bonds between the two armies, built over more than a century of shared service, sacrifice and operations, and supports the ongoing contribution to regional security, stability and resilience alongside Pacific partners.
Major General King said the renewed Plan ANZAC would ensure the enduring New Zealand-Australian partnership remained strong for generations to come.
“Some relationships are forged by circumstance. Ours was forged by service,” Major General King said.
“Generation after generation of New Zealand and Australian soldiers have joined each other when it mattered most.”
“Plan ANZAC will ensure the next generation will do the same with greater trust, greater integration, and greater purpose than ever before.
“The Tasman Sea has never separated our armies nearly as much as our shared values have bound them together.
“Plan ANZAC is our promise that, whatever challenges lie ahead, Australia and New Zealand will meet them not as neighbours standing side by side, but as partners, deeply committed to each other, moving forward together.”
Lieutenant General Coyle said the renewed agreement reflected the enduring strength, trust and strategic importance of the partnership.
“Plan ANZAC builds on more than a century of shared service and cooperation, ensuring our armies are ready to train, deploy and operate side-by-side to face the challenges of today and tomorrow,” Lieutenant General Coyle said.
“It is fitting that one of my first acts as Chief of Army is to reaffirm this important relationship.
“The bond between our armies is unique, forged through shared history, and strengthened through our ongoing commitment to regional security and stability.
“As close neighbours, friends, and allies, we have a mutual commitment and shared responsibility to support regional security and stability, coordinate our efforts in the South Pacific, and provide humanitarian assistance when it matters most.”
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