New Zealand Army

R

RegR

Well-Known Member
ngatimozart said:
A RFI (Market Research) has been issued for a Protected Mobility Capability.

This RFI appears to be a request to see what is available and who is interested. They state that they are not interested in turrets, however the vehicles must fit within the confines of a C130H and on the HMNZS Canterbury, as well as comply with NZ road regulations. The suggested timeline is between 2018 and delivery of the final vehicle in 2025.

At present this in itself does not signify that the current NZLAVs and Pinzgauers are going to be replaced, however it as an option that is apparently being considered with the NZLAV MLU due in the near to medium term.
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Seems good, I think they are realising the armoured pingzgauers are in fact a waste of rations in todays threat enviroments and something is needed in between that and NZLAV (or equivalent). Eventual replacement of armoured pinz, aqquisition of something ala bushmaster family and "upgraded" NZLAV?

Cannot see them replacing NZLAV just yet (imagine the sh*tstorm from the lefties) otherwise would require a heartfelt sales pitch and we all know the pinz(A) were a pipedream for effectiveness and limited from the start. The SAS project will no doubt have flow on considerations for efficiencies, commonality and training.

Good to see they are at least putting out the feelers and considering options, hopefully something tangible and worthwhile comes of it relatively soonish (thinking other DF projects that seem to...........).
 
John Fedup

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
40 deg south said:
Interesting. I wonder if they will take their own LAVs, or borrow from the Canadians?

My money is on the latter!
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I would like to think that the invitation to NZ would include using Canadian LAVs which are outfitted pretty much the same way. It seems to me shipping NZ LAVS to the other side of the globe is a huge unnecessary expense and both countries know all about tight defence budgets.:)
 
R

RegR

Well-Known Member
John Fedup said:
I would like to think that the invitation to NZ would include using Canadian LAVs which are outfitted pretty much the same way. It seems to me shipping NZ LAVS to the other side of the globe is a huge unnecessary expense and both countries know all about tight defence budgets.:)
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Be a good chance to get a look at LAV6.0 as well and see what's available for any MLU. Good sales pitch GD.
 
ngatimozart

ngatimozart

Super Moderator
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
Also of note the USMC are going to upgrade half of their aged 800 LAVs because they don't have the funds to completely replace them. Nor do they have the funds to completely replace their Assault Amphibious Vehicle, therefore they are only going to replace half of the AAVs with the new Amphibious Combat Vehicle the BAE and SAIC have vehicles competing in the final selection round and upgrade the rest.
Current A2s [USMC LAV 25] carry many upgrades such as better blast protection, an electronic LAV-25 turret, and an improved thermal sight system. The anti-tank variant will see the obsolete Emerson 901, an Army turret based on 1960s technology, replaced with the M220E3 TOW beginning next year. In coming years, a mobility and obsolescence kit will tackle the top three readiness drivers by providing a modern powertrain (new engine and transmission), drivetrain improvements to the transfer case and drive shafts, and an upgraded steering system. The kit will also replace the driver’s analog information panel with a digital board, and put a larger slip ring in the LAV-25 so it can pump more power to the turret.

“The Marine Corps is taking adequate actions to keep the vehicle relevant and operational to 2035,” said Steve Myers, deputy program manager for Light Armored Vehicles. Recognizing he has no maneuver room in the budget, Myers said he would like to keep the cost at $525,000 per kit, but those decisions are still in the making. Specific vehicles to be upgraded has not been determined, but he expects that to be known within the year.

The upgraded kits are in the engineering, manufacturing, development phase; production is expected in fiscal 2019. The first vehicles will roll out in 2021, and all planned upgrades will wrap up five years later.
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This upgrade could be something that NZDF may take a close look at because it is possibly a viable option for the current NZLAV and they might be able to tag the NZLAV onto the USMC contract. Of course there are differences between the two different legacy fleets but there will also be many commonalities. The NZLAV would still need a 25mm gun turret, but they should also consider incorporating Javelin missiles with the turret as well. The Javelin would give the NZLAV more versatility. Whilst I think that a 30mm gun would be better, I am given to understand that up-gunning from 25mm to 30mm calibre guns in the current LAV turret is a major undertaking.
 
4

40 deg south

Well-Known Member
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/short-deployment-nzdf-engineers-sinai

Cabinet has today agreed to deploy an additional 35 New Zealand Defence Force personnel to an international peacekeeping mission in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee says.

“Our personnel will provide engineering support to build a security fence around the Multinational Force and Observers’ South Camp in the Sinai, near Sharm El-Sheikh,” Mr Brownlee says.

“The short-term contribution will bolster the security of the mission, which observes and reports on the Treaty of Peace between Egypt and Israel.

“The work will last around 6 months and personnel will deploy in early 2017.
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Presumably the UN mission looked at bids from Abdullah and Sons Landscaping Services and thought yeah, nah.
 
R

RegR

Well-Known Member
40 deg south said:
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/short-deployment-nzdf-engineers-sinai



Presumably the UN mission looked at bids from Abdullah and Sons Landscaping Services and thought yeah, nah.
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Not a UN mission and will probably tag onto the british engineer support also announced to deploy. The MFO is changing it's stance around for security reasons making South camp the "main" base in terms of numbers and downsiizing North camp due to their locations. Chances are we will fund some if not all of this deployment/assistance.
 
N

Novascotiaboy

Active Member
In the Australian Army thread there is a link to the October issue of DTR with an article on the NZ buy of Supacat Commando 6x6's for the SAS. In the article it states that nine vehicles are to be purchased plus it makes reference to the likely purchase of a 15 ton class protected vehicle similar to the Bushmaster.

Bushmaster would be a good choice in my opinion as it provides commonality and ease of access to a logistics train. Also invites the possibility of a larger purchase for NZ Army use.
 
A

ADMk2

Just a bloke
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
Cadredave said:
It all goes back to our Con-ops do we require 120mm mortars mounted to support our two Dismounted Light Infantry battalions answer is no 81mm like the GMG & M2QCB have to be carried by those who will be using them to provide support. LAV like NH-90 is just another tool for the Infantry to get where they need to be they (QAMR) are no longer a integrated force both Corps have gone back to what they know best.
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They do if you consider the 120mm mortar as an infantry weapon, but many including the USMC and US Army rightfully (IMHO) consider them an artillery weapon and structure them into artillery regiments / battalions, where the ability to 'man handle' heavy weapons is rapidly fading into the past as a useful and relevant capability.
 
R

RegR

Well-Known Member
ADMk2 said:
They do if you consider the 120mm mortar as an infantry weapon, but many including the USMC and US Army rightfully (IMHO) consider them an artillery weapon and structure them into artillery regiments / battalions, where the ability to 'man handle' heavy weapons is rapidly fading into the past as a useful and relevant capability.
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Our mortars have been transferred to the artillery regiment as well so seems to be abit of a trend, if it's a good move or not is another question.
 
A

ADMk2

Just a bloke
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
RegR said:
Our mortars have been transferred to the artillery regiment as well so seems to be abit of a trend, if it's a good move or not is another question.
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It is a good idea from a joint fires POV, ie: all indirect fires responsibility comes under the hands of the indirect fire experts, however whether it's a good idea to take a battalion commanders only indirect fire capability from him without replacement, is another question and a rather obvious one, IMHO...
 
Cadredave

Cadredave

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
Novascotiaboy said:
Excellent read 40 Deg south

Are these intended for Army and SAS use or does SAS have a different stream of small arms?

Does this now conclude the small arms refresh? Glock pistols, LMT assault rifles and LSW's, Benneli shotguns is there anything else? Are the GPMG's still ok? Are HMG's being upgraded at this time?

Is there interest in new 60 mm ammunition?

U.S. Army approves Orbital ATK's M1061 60mm mortar cartridge - UPI.com
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NZDF like all Government departments dont announce its weapon buys thru a American gun blog lol. Nova, if it is true then a formal announcement will be delivered in the near future once the contract has been signed these rifles are for use by the combat corps only ie NZSAS & RNZIR they are part of the weapon upgrades that began a decade ago.

Whats left is mainly Army specific:

M3 Carl Gustav - new optic sighting system to be determined.

SFMG - Tripod & C2 sight replacement

60mm mortar - was an UOR purchase for Afghan and at this stage will be held in reserve for any future deployment ie no plans to embed it into the RNZIR for now as we didnt purchase enough systems to equip both battalions.

M2QCB & 40mm GMG have been upgraded with the same optical sights so no plans to upgrade them for now maybe in the future a weight reduction in the tripod & other accessories.
 
Cadredave

Cadredave

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
ADMk2 said:
They do if you consider the 120mm mortar as an infantry weapon, but many including the USMC and US Army rightfully (IMHO) consider them an artillery weapon and structure them into artillery regiments / battalions, where the ability to 'man handle' heavy weapons is rapidly fading into the past as a useful and relevant capability.
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Vert true AD but NZ Army has always seen any indirect weapon system bigger than 81mm to belong to 16 FD Regt, currently they do have the 81mm again for now 16 FD have picked up a few roles more in which they dont have enough bodies to fully man potentially 81mm could end back in RNZIR control once more.

CD
 
4

40 deg south

Well-Known Member
Cadredave said:
NZDF like all Government departments dont announce its weapon buys thru a American gun blog lol. Nova, if it is true then a formal announcement will be delivered in the near future once the contract has been signed these rifles are for use by the combat corps only ie NZSAS & RNZIR they are part of the weapon upgrades that began a decade ago.

Whats left is mainly Army specific:

M3 Carl Gustav - new optic sighting system to be determined.

SFMG - Tripod & C2 sight replacement

60mm mortar - was an UOR purchase for Afghan and at this stage will be held in reserve for any future deployment ie no plans to embed it into the RNZIR for now as we didnt purchase enough systems to equip both battalions.

M2QCB & 40mm GMG have been upgraded with the same optical sights so no plans to upgrade them for now maybe in the future a weight reduction in the tripod & other accessories.
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I'm pretty sure no one will mistake this for an official announcement. Indeed, the blog notes they have had a tip from a source they consider reliable, so they are being up-front about their information. I posted it because they accurately predicted LMT as the winner of the rifle replacement contract in advance of the official notice. I guess time will tell if they have called this one correctly as well.

Thanks for info on other replacements still to come.
 
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