The Australian Army has reinforced its long-standing relationship with one of Australia's closest allies with the signing of the renewed Plan ANZAC.
Plan ANZAC is a bilateral agreement between the Australian and New Zealand armies, designed to support the two nations to train, deploy and operate together .
Signed by the new Chief of the Australian Army, Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, and Chief of the New Zealand Army, Major General Rose King, the agreement enhances interoperability through aligning capability, training, and readiness to respond to emerging operational challenges.
The signing marks Lieutenant General Susan Coyle's first official engagement as Chief of Army, underscoring the significance of the Australian-New Zealand 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 together, and supports the ongoing commitment to regional security, stability and resilience alongside Pacific partners.
Chief of the Australian Army, Lieutenant General Susan Coyle said the renewed agreement reflected the enduring strength, trust and strategic importance of the Australian-New Zealand 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 shared responsibility to support regional security and stability, coordinate our efforts in the South Pacific, and provide humanitarian assistance when it matters most."
Chief of the New Zealand Army, Major General Rose King, said the renewed Plan ANZAC would ensure the enduring Australian-New Zealand partnership remains strong for generations to come.
"Some relationships are forged by circumstance. Ours was forged by service. Generation after generation of Australian and New Zealand soldiers have joined each other when it mattered most. Plan ANZAC ensures the next generation will do the same with greater trust, greater integration, and greater purpose than ever before," Major General King said.
"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."
The reinforcement of the plan aligns with the intent for an increasingly integrated ANZAC force, as outlined in the 'Anzac 2035: Operationalising the Australia-New Zealand Alliance' statement which was signed this year by both governments.
