Around 700 New Zealand soldiers and personnel are in Australia for the largest war-fighting and military training exercise in the Southern Hemisphere.
35-thousand soldiers from 19 nations are taking part in it.
The Defence Force says a key goal for them is to be able to integrate its capabilities into Australian and US relations.
The Government also announced ramping up defence spend earlier this year - but as it stands now, and with tensions abroad - how prepared are we?
Tim Beveridge talks to Senior National Officer Lieutenant Colonel Tim Tuatini for more.
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