The Defence white paper out today shows New Zealand's military faces a new enemy -- a cyber security threat.
Details leaked to Newshub show cyber security and protecting New Zealand's defence assets are a major strategic focus of the armed forces as it looks ahead to 2030.
Newshub understands it is expected to cost Defence "a significant fiscal envelope" in the millions to protect itself from the threat, which emanates from countries like China, Russia, Iran and North Korea.
Cyber security was barely mentioned in the last white paper, which was released in 2010.
The Defence White Paper 2010 represented the first comprehensive articulation of New Zealand's defence policy this century, according to the Government.
Since publication the ministry says it provided Defence with the direction it needs to be able to effectively prioritise the roles and tasks it undertakes, both at home and overseas, and guide the modernisation of many of the Defence Force's military capabilities.
The Defence White Paper 2016 is released later this morning.
Newshub.
