Press Release: NZ To Host US ICBM Defence Shield

Sunday, 1 April, 2012
Press Release: New Zealand Government

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman has announced that New Zealand is to host a number of United States-built inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) across the country.

"We welcome New Zealand's moves to solidify its homefront defence and military allegiances, as well as the economic benefits it brings," said Mr Coleman.

The ICBMs to be based in New Zealand are likely to be based on a variant of the W80-armed Tomahawk cruise missiles that are currently carried by the US Navy, and are believed to be the first land-based examples. Likely launch sites include the Far North, the East Cape, Opotiki, Turangi, and Kawerau. In addition, feasibility studies have also been carried out for a nuclear testing site in the Urewera Ranges.

Lemmy Newcomb, a spokesman for Raytheon, the manufacturer of the warheads, says the decision to host the ICBMs is a win-win situation. "With the rise of the Dragon's Teeth and North Korea's nuclear programme, no one can be too careful in these uncertain times."

ENDS