New Zealand confirms role in major Australian-U.S. military drill

New Zealand troops are to take part for the first time in Australia's largest military exercise next month, the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) confirmed Monday.

The NZDF was deploying 22 light armoured vehicles and two NH90 helicopters as well as two ships, two other aircraft and 620 personnel to Exercise Talisman Sabre, said Major General Tim Gall, Commander Joint Forces New Zealand.

Talisman Sabre was the largest exercise that the Australian Defence Force conducted with the U.S. armed forces in a combined and joint environment, covering training in land, air and maritime warfare, including amphibious operations.

"In Talisman Sabre, our personnel will be working as part of a large force led by the Australian Defence Force and our military assets will be integrated with those of the Australians and the U. S. armed forces," Gall said in a statement.

The NZDF had been invited to participate in this year's bilateral exercise, being held from July 5 to 21 in multiple training areas in Australia and the United States.

It would involve around 30,000 Australian and U.S. troops, 21 ships including the U.S. navy aircraft carrier USS George Washington, more than 200 aircraft and three submarines.

A small contingent of Japanese troops are reportedly also joining the biennial exercise for the first time this year. Endi