The New Zealand Defence Force will buy and trial uncrewed systems from Tauranga company SYOS Aerospace, the government said in February 2026, giving a local drone maker that has been building for the war in Ukraine a customer in its own military.
The move comes as New Zealand lifts defence spending and looks more closely at uncrewed systems. It also tests whether a domestic defence industry can keep a fast-growing Kiwi technology company anchored in New Zealand, rather than following the usual path offshore.
What the NZDF is buying
The package includes a ground vehicle, a surface vessel, a surveillance drone and the SA7 one-way effector drone. The Army and Navy will test the systems on tasks such as moving supplies, maritime patrols and route reconnaissance, according to the NZDF.
SYOS, led by founder Sam Vye, builds uncrewed systems across air, land and sea, including helicopter drones, surveillance aircraft, a six-wheel ground vehicle and an uncrewed surface vessel.
The UK and Ukraine
The company’s profile grew offshore first. In 2025 the UK awarded SYOS a £30 million contract for drones supporting Ukraine, with assembly at its UK facility in Hampshire. In January 2026 SYOS was one of seven companies selected to design drones for the British Army’s Project NYX, which pairs uncrewed aircraft with Apache attack helicopters, according to Army Technology.
The bigger shift
New Zealand’s Defence Capability Plan commits NZ$12 billion over four years. In July 2026 the government said it was examining human-operated, one-way strike drones worth up to NZ$300 million. Defence Minister Chris Penk said the government was especially interested in supporting local innovation, skills and industrial capability, as reported by 1News.
The February trial order means SYOS is already working with the NZDF as those decisions are made.
Jack’s take
New Zealand has a habit of building great companies and watching them move offshore. Governments prefer to buy defence equipment from their own country, so defence could be a real reason for the next big Kiwi company to stay home.