The Defence Force has paid out half a million dollars to other claimants during the 16 years that two badly injured brothers have been fighting for compensation.

Cuts to Defence Force spending could be delayed by up to two years, Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says.

Details of a Defence Force inquiry into fatal attacks in Afghanistan have been released this afternoon, along with footage of one of the incidents.

The Defence Force will today present the findings of a Court of Inquiry into two incidents which resulted in the deaths of five New Zealand soldiers in Afghanistan last year.

Two brothers who suffered horrific injuries in army training accidents could be nearing the end of their long battle for compensation. (WARNING: Graphic image)

New Zealand's Governor-General Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae and Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman were among a group of dignitaries who met Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul.

Some family members of Corporal Douglas Hughes say they want an open inquest to satisfy their questions over the soldier's death.

The coroner who declined a full inquest into the suicide of a gay soldier is a Mormon church elder who attacked same-sex marriage in a submission to Parliament, saying it was an unnecessary "social experiment".

The New Zealand navy is relying on Australian sailors to keep it afloat as skilled crew leave in droves for higher-paid jobs across the Tasman.

The Defence Ministry is about to begin seeking tenders for new training aircraft for the Air Force.

The RNZAF will not be prosecuted by the CAA after it put the lives of hundreds of people at risk by illegally shipping chemical oxygen generators on a passenger flight.

Misplaced loyalty to a superpower 'ally' is not a good enough reason to stay.

Official figures show Afghanistan most hazardous overseas posting for personnel.