A problem with the NZLAV is that it too, when uparmoured is too heavy to be moved by the C-130. When not uparmoured I believe it is just light enough for the C-130H to carry, but it has a restricted range of only about 1,000 n miles IIRC. Not a great enough range to be really useful.
), but I would like to see something additional be that Armoured LOV's or LAV's or new Bushmasters etc there in a support role where possible (unfortunately the NZ Army M113's were scrapped a couple of years ago). I would (again) say NZ needs a tracked vehicle capable of transport in a C130 (second hand upgraded M113's?) to compliement the LAV3's - I believe there is a place for the LAV3 in the NZ Orbat - but that is such a highly politically charged issue as you most likely know - that would take a change of Govt to have the guts to sort out.
Although you may or may not recall the discussions here in the past on criticism by the Auditor General on the LAV3 purchase including lack of detailed reasoning for the final numbers of vehicles chosen (105) compared to earlier proposals throughout the mid to late 1990's. One part of the report that bemuses me was the later reasoning for additional vehicles to replace the 26 or so Scorpion tracked reconnaisance/fire support vehicles, because the LAV3's 25mm bustmaster cannon could also be used for fire support like the Scorpions 76mm gun etc.
I read the link and it sounds horrific but it is to late now we are going to have to make the best of them for the next 30 years.Good question: there's so much anti and pro opinions on the LAV's (probably as part of that tracked v wheeled arguement, see elsewhere in DT's archives and elsewhere on other forums etc), I find it hard to seperate facts from opinions and have seen what appears to be biased or hysterical BS.
However for an interesting link nonetheless on the anti-LAV side, see http://www.combatreform2.com/strykerhorrors.htm
I suppose the NZ Hilux is a good general purpose vehicle suited to the terrain where we operate (after all the Jihadist's and Taliban have used Hilux's, obviously they do the job
Note: I've never heard of the Aussies complaining of their ASLAV's (maybe they have but I haven't seen it) but at least they have tracked M113's and ASLAV's as well as the Bushmaster for various tasks (admittedly in different roles though. See Aussie Army thread in DT for more info etc).
It's a hypothetical discussion at best, but I think it should be somewhat reality based. NZDF is not likely to operate a heavy-weight IFV any time soon.
I absolutely agree, in the previous numbers you mentioned which were similar to the number of Scorpions, this would provide a very important capability, while recreating the training and expertise of the NZ Army in tracked vehicle operations, and should the need ever arise the QAMR could with the basic cadre be lifted to a full strength armored recce unit.
Re: that link. Clearly the authors of that link/page are anti-LAV but all I'd say is keep an open mind, don't believe the hype when presented with a one-sided bias (from anyone/any-side). Any vehicle - tracked or wheeled - can get stuck (even tracked, but of course tracked vehicles handle ditches/mud a lot, lot better etc), or roll over or be taken out with RPG's etc. The NZ CDF Mateparae stated the NZLAV can keep going if all tyres were deflated if shot at etc, whereas if a tracked vehicle lost a track well it's pretty much immobile. It's almost like comparing apples with oranges etc. As you probably know the NZLAV is a serious piece of kit, fully nuclear-biological-chemical protected, has alot better stabilised firepower then the Stryker battle taxis, i.e. they aren't second rate etc.
The other option is to go back to the fire support option, the Stormer 30, that would be a great piece of kit for the NZ Army and it is C130 tranpsortable, though I don't know about the C130 H's, even without the TOW launchers a very formidable, useful item, though unlikely I will admit.
It's CR2. Mike Sparks. 'nuff said. Don't read it, don't believe anything on it, discredit statements where possible.
What kato said. Google "Mike Sparks", or "Sparky". A mentally ill person with a pathological hatred of the USMC (apparently he failed USMC officer training) & all their equipment (hence the LAV, & everything derived from, related to, or resembling it, e.g. Stryker), who has been conducting an internet campaign, over many years, to have the M113 named "Gavin" & made the prime AFV of the US armed forces, preferably equipped with the 106mm RCL. He also has other pet ideas, such as paratroopers carrying folding bicycles, with which once landed, they will pedal across country, carrying full kit, at speeds & over distances I can just about match on roads, on my made-to-measure road bike, carrying little or nothing.