The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) have entered into a frame agreement designed to strengthen cooperation and support a more integrated and interoperable Anzac naval force.
Signed by Deputy Chief of the RNZN, Commodore Karl Woodhead, and Deputy Chief of the RAN, Rear Admiral Darren Grogan, Plan Tasman will translate shared strategic objectives into coordinated action across personnel, training, capability development, warfighting, engineering, regulation and international engagement.
"The agreement will enhance collaboration, information sharing, training and operational alignment between the two navies, strengthening their ability to operate together in an increasingly complex Indo-Pacific security environment," the New Zealand Defence Force said in a press release. "It [follows] the signing of the 'Tasman Navy Framework', a strategic engagement dialogue, by the RNZN and RAN chiefs in November 2024.
"As our region becomes increasingly contested against the backdrop of a deteriorating global security environment, our strategic guidance is to deepen and formalise the alliance," said Commodore Woodhead. "Plan Tasman is exactly that, signalling a shift from a history of cooperation based on tradition to integration by design."
"As close neighbours, trusted partners and allies, this agreement will help ensure our navies remain ready to operate side-by-side and respond to shared challenges in support of regional security, stability and prosperity," Rear Admiral Grogan added.
