New Zealand receives first batch of Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles

 

Some of the 18 Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles delivered to the New Zealand Army on 25 May 2023. Photo c/o New Zealand Government.


The New Zealand Army has received its first batch of 18 Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles )MPV) on 25 May 2023, which were procured under a NZ$102.9 million program to improve the protected mobility capability of its troops.


New Zealand Defense Minister Andrew Little was present as the arrival of the vehicles was marked alongside New Zealand Army personnel at Trentham Military Camp near Wellington.


During the event, Minister Little mentioned that “the arrival of the Bushmaster fleet represents a significant uplift in capability and protection for defence force personnel, and a milestone in the Government’s historic investment in our defence kit”.


The New Zealand Army is scheduled to receive a total of 43 Thales Australia Bushmaster vehicles to replace its ageing fleet of Steyr-Puch Pinzgauer armored vehicles, which are now considered obsolete and unable to protect troops from modern battlefield threats like improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and heavier-calibre small arms fire.


Compared to the armored Pinzgauers, the Australian designed and built Bushmaster MPV are larger and can accommodate more fully-equipped troops, offer greater blast and ballistic protection to personnel, and offers interoperability with its overseas partners particularly Australia.


New Zealand Army will be getting five different variants,  including the mobile communications and command hub variant, troop transport variant, and protected ambulance variant.




[1] New Zealand Government


New Zealand receives first batch of Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles New Zealand receives first batch of Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal on May 30, 2023 Rating: 5

No comments