🇳🇿 New Zealand Military Strength 2026
With an overall Power Index rank of #102 out of 180, New Zealand stands as a small military force in 2026. Its armed forces field 8,700 active personnel plus 3,270 in reserve. The defense budget stands at $3.0 billion (2024), about 1.2% of GDP.
▶ Open New Zealand in the simulator
Personnel & budget
| Indicator | Value | Rank |
|---|
| Active military personnel | 8,700 | #130 |
| Reserve personnel | 3,270 | |
| Paramilitary forces | 0 | |
| Defense budget (2024) | $3.0 billion | #55 |
| Budget share of GDP | 1.19% | |
| Population | 5.3M | |
Land forces
| Indicator | Value | Rank |
|---|
| Main battle tanks | 0 | — |
| Attack helicopters | 8 | |
Air power
| Indicator | Value | Rank |
|---|
| Combat aircraft | 0 | — |
| Military satellites | 0 | |
Naval forces
| Indicator | Value | Rank |
|---|
| Aircraft carriers | 0 | |
| Cruisers | 0 | |
| Destroyers | 0 | |
| Frigates | 2 | |
| Corvettes | 0 | |
| Amphibious warfare ships | 0 | |
| Nuclear submarines | 0 | |
| Conventional submarines | 0 | |
| Fleet strength score | 4 | #59 |
Data years vary by indicator (latest available, 2023–2026). See methodology and sources.