WHAT WE DO

Our Role

DST delivers specialist defence science and technology programmes that underpin the NZDF’s ability to operate effectively in New Zealand’s region, manoeuvre in sub-threshold environments, and remain credible in increasingly contested and congested domains.

We enable the performance and protection of NZDF personnel, systems, and platforms through the timely application of threat-informed scientific and technological expertise and networks.

We help future-proof the NZDF by anticipating and leveraging emerging science and technology advances.

Our work is grounded in decades of expertise and sustained collaboration with Five Eyes S&T partners.

We extend our impact through partnerships across industry, academia, government, and international organisations.

DST is a proven national asset, delivering defence and security research and expertise to the New Zealand Government for over 70 years.

Our Science

DST provides specialist defence science and technology outputs through a focused set of programmes below.

Sensing & Intelligence

The application of AI for intelligence and data collection.

This consists of work involving the application of AI for intelligence & data collection including understanding and exploiting artificial intelligence, the automation of tools and the detection of patterns, faster data analysis and enhanced cueing of assets to operators.  

Cyber and Electromagnetic Warfare

Cyber defence and radio frequency systems.

This area includes research into cyber defence and radio frequency systems and considers the exploration of cyber resilience, awareness & protection, novel radio frequency sensing and resilient communications alternatives.

Concepts, Strategy and Analytics

Research to inform decisions, planning and policy.

Our research is used to inform NZDF decisions, planning and policy. We use analytical methods to enhance strategic decision making and analyse emerging and disruptive technology.

Human Sciences

Understanding our people: cognitive and physical performance.

Our research focuses on the understanding of our people's cognitive and physical performance. This research considers integration with emerging technological systems and how to increase survivability in high-risk environments.

Climate Intelligence

Supporting the NZDF through a changing climate.

Supporting the NZDF through a changing climate and understanding the ability of NZDF to respond, adapt to decrease operational risks and be complient with legislation and regulation.

Autonomous Systems

Harnessing the potential of autonomous systems.

Our research centers around harnessing the potential of autonomous systems with the aim to accelerate Government and NZDF adoption, generate knowledge to support acquisition and counter autonomous threats.

Space and Navigation Warfare

NZDF’s research pathway to space domain operations.

This includes NZDF’s research pathway to space domain operations. Our focus centers around the surveillance of space activities, space domain interoperability and the resilience of NZDF navigation and timing services.

Maritime Warfare

Tactics and technology to protect our sailors and ships.

Research consists of tactics and technology to protect our sailors and ships by fully realising our ship’s self-protection systems. Our research also includes advanced sensors, effectors, autonomous systems and technology to protect our ships, cables and pipelines from underwater threats. 

Air Warfare

Advancing the protection of NZDF aircraft.

We conduct research related to advancing the protection of NZDF aircraft.  We do this through the assurance of aircraft self-protection systems, informed procurement, through-life support and reduced combat risk for operations. 

Land Warfare

Maximise the safety and effectiveness of our soldiers.

Our research is used to maximise the safety and effectiveness of our soldiers through armour and protection systems, the detection of and protection from chem and bio threats and signature management of people and platforms.