New Zealand CBRN Defence Market Size and Forecast by Threat Type, Equipment, End User, and Platform: 2019-2033

New Zealand CBRN Defence Industry Outlook

The New Zealand CBRN defence market is gaining strategic traction as the geopolitical landscape and climate-driven risk scenarios intensify across the Asia-Pacific region. In response, New Zealand is methodically modernizing its Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) defence capabilities to prepare for emerging non-conventional threats. From bolstering protective gear and detection equipment to enhancing inter-agency coordination, the country is embracing a more integrated approach.

The market is expected to witness moderate growth through 2033, driven by increased military modernization budgets, international interoperability standards, and rising participation in joint exercises such as “Kiwi Resolve.” This initiative, conducted in Auckland, brought together global forces to strengthen decontamination tactics and force protection measures, underscoring the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) commitment to CBRN readiness. Additionally, New Zealand’s strategic role in the Five Eyes alliance further amplifies its focus on standardizing CBRN operations with allied nations.

The NZDF’s recent adoption of the RAPTOR 2+ Medium Protective Ensemble from CQC illustrates a shift towards lighter, more adaptable protective equipment, indicating strong supplier demand within the New Zealand CBRN defence industry. Overall, the market outlook is shaped by regional dynamics, multi-agency collaboration, and sustained investment in dual-use technologies for both military and disaster response applications.

Key Drivers Fuelling the New Zealand CBRN Defence Sector

Several interlinked drivers are advancing the New Zealand CBRN defence sector, especially the intersection of environmental change, regional defence integration, and technological adaptation. Climate-induced disasters and biosecurity risks are accelerating the country’s need for robust civilian-military CBRN coordination. These concerns are mirrored in the NZDF’s increasing reliance on agile and integrated platforms.

The procurement of Avon Protection’s MCM100 Multi-Role Rebreather for navy divers is a case in point. While tailored for underwater explosive ordnance disposal and mine countermeasures, its multi-mission design aligns with evolving CBRN threat scenarios in submerged and littoral zones. The diversification of use cases for such technology reflects a shift toward converging operational demands.

Moreover, Australia’s recent academic initiatives to train next-generation CBRN scientists underline a broader regional push, likely to influence New Zealand's R&D and public-private partnerships. The intensification of Five Eyes interoperability goals—especially with Australia and the UK already deploying similar equipment—further incentivizes harmonized investments. Another key factor is the NZDF’s emphasis on reducing physiological strain on personnel operating in high-threat environments, as evidenced by the move to low-burden suits. These indicators collectively suggest a market driven not just by procurement but by performance optimization, risk resilience, and international defence alignment.

End-User Trends and Capability Adoption Across Civilian and Military Segments

End-user adoption in the New Zealand CBRN defence industry is seeing a convergence of military and civil protection agencies, reflecting the nation’s comprehensive security doctrine. The NZDF continues to be the principal consumer of high-performance gear and detection systems, but fire services, border protection agencies, and emergency medical units are also increasingly involved in dual-use procurement.

The adoption of CQC’s RAPTOR 2+ suit illustrates this shift; its flame resistance, oil/water repellence, and breathable carbon-lined design appeal to both first responders and military personnel. This marks a significant transition from siloed military deployments to interoperable, cross-agency applications. Furthermore, NZ’s participation in joint training exercises like “Kiwi Resolve” reflects a growing emphasis on scenario-based readiness, decontamination logistics, and force health protection.

These exercises serve as a platform to evaluate and refine equipment performance under stress and to establish clear SOPs between defence and civil sectors. The expanding role of maritime units—highlighted by the MCM100 procurement—demonstrates the growing complexity of CBRN mission sets. Civilian authorities are expected to ramp up sensor deployments and training protocols in tandem with the military, especially amid growing urban population densities and climate-linked disaster risks.

Market Performance Indicators and Competitive Landscape in the CBRN Ecosystem

The performance of the New Zealand CBRN defence market hinges on critical capability indicators such as mobility of response units, protective gear durability, detection latency, and interoperability metrics. Recent investments signal a focus on wearable comfort, thermal load reduction, and multirole flexibility. Key international players influencing the market include CQC, through its local partner Owen International, and Avon Protection, both offering cutting-edge CBRN-specific solutions tailored for joint-force compatibility.

On the regional front, partnerships with Australia offer a spillover of R&D capabilities and training exchanges. Australia's focus on nurturing CBRN scientists and enhancing detection technologies is expected to offer indirect innovation benefits to New Zealand, particularly through defence universities and think tanks. Locally, while domestic CBRN manufacturing remains limited, the NZDF is increasingly involved in evaluation and field trials of international systems, ensuring localized adaptation.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) and New Zealand Civil Defence and Emergency Management (CDEM) collaborate to set procurement criteria and operational thresholds, ensuring investments align with real-world operational use cases. Globally, the trend towards lighter, more ergonomic suits, AI-enhanced detection platforms, and integrated command systems continues to inform procurement strategy. In this evolving environment, New Zealand is poised to build a hybrid CBRN architecture that blends international sophistication with homegrown resilience frameworks.

Author: Surender K (Vertical Head – Aerospace & Defence)

*Research Methodology: This report is based on DataCube’s proprietary 3-stage forecasting model, combining primary research, secondary data triangulation, and expert validation. [Learn more]

New Zealand CBRN Defence Market Scope