The NZ Defence Force (NZDF) will deploy a P-3K2 Orion and crew to support international efforts to monitor sanctions against North Korea.
The P-3K2 Orion will be based in Japan for the deployment and will patrol over international waters in North Asia. A P-3K2 Orion and personnel had previously been deployed in 2018 to support UNSC resolutions imposing sanctions on North Korea.
Commander Joint Forces NZ Rear Admiral Jim Gilmour said the NZDF was ready to respond to international efforts to maintain peace and security in the region.
Air Component Commander Air Commodore Tim Walshe said the RNZAF P-3K2 Orion was well suited to maritime surveillance and patrol activities, and routinely carried out surveillance and reconnaissance, including for fisheries patrols, and search and rescue operations.
During the deployment the crew would look to detect evasions of sanctions, such as through illicit ship-to-ship transfers of sanctioned goods, Air Commodore Walshe said.
Patrols by the P-3K2 Orion, which would be based in Japan for the deployment, would be over international waters in North Asia, he said.