New Zealand purchases Bushmaster armored vehicles
WELLINGTON, (BM) – The Minister of Defense of New Zealand, Ron Mark, announced that the government approved the purchase of a consignment of Bushmaster armored vehicles with a 4×4 wheel arrangement to replace the Pinzgauer armored vehicles, learned BulgarianMilitary.com.
Read more: New Zealand Plans a Massive Defence Investments in Land Systems and Soldier Equipment
The New Zealand Defense Plan, published last year, called for replacing an outdated fleet of Ground Forces equipment, including the Pinzgauer BBM.
As noted, 43 new Bushmaster NZ5.5 armored vehicles should provide improved protection and enhanced transportation capabilities for personnel of the New Zealand Armed Forces.
As stated, New Zealand NEs perform tasks in diverse and challenging environments. For this reason, a multi-purpose machine with a high level of protection and mobility was chosen.
A budget of $ 102.9 million new. dollars (about 68 million US dollars) will ensure the supply of armored vehicles, a simulator, auxiliary equipment, personnel training and infrastructure modernization at Linton Camp. It is expected that BBM supplies will begin at the end of 2022 and will be completed by the end of 2023.
The machines are planned to be used for transporting troops, as a command and control vehicle, as a communications vehicle, as an ambulance, as well as in the aftermath of natural disasters and in joint peacekeeping operations.
BBM “Bushmaster” adopted by the Australian Armed Forces, and also used by special operations of New Zealand.
Read more: The Royal New Zealand Navy’s Hydrographic Vessel has Arrived in Wellington Harbour
The Bushmaster is the second type of car that the New Zealand government approved the purchase in 2020. The Armed Forces will also receive Polaris off-road vehicles MRZR, which will replace the ATVs and other small-sized SV vehicles from New Zealand.
As TsAMTO reported, the Bushmaster is an armored vehicle with a 4×4 wheel arrangement with a carrying capacity of 2500 kg and a total weight of 15 tons. The Caterpillar 3126 ATAAC six-cylinder turbodiesel engine with a power of 224 kW allows speeds of up to 120 km / h and a fuel range of 1000 km.
The machine is equipped with an automatic gearbox, energy-absorbing seats, a self-extracting winch and is designed to carry up to 10 people (crew and 8 troops in the airborne squad). The body of the armored car with a V-shaped bottom provides protection against small arms fire, fragments and blast waves.
At the request of the customer, the machine can be equipped with additional mounted armor. As weapons, a rotary turret or a remote-controlled weapon module can be used.
Read more: Barrett sold sniper rifles to New Zealand’s Defense Force
New Zealand Buys Five C-130J Aircraft Totalling $1.4 Billion
Last November we announced that the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to New Zealand of five (5) C-130J aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $1.4 billion.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a major ally that is a force for political stability, and economic progress in the Asia-Pacific region. The proposed sale will improve New Zealand’s capability to meet current and future threats by enhancing its current airlift capability.
This proposed sale will provide the capability to support national, United Nations, and other coalition operations. This purchase also includes sensors and performance improvements that will assist New Zealand during extensive maritime surveillance and reconnaissance as well as improve its search and rescue capability.
Additionally, the extra cargo capacity and aircraft performance will greatly increase New Zealand’s Antarctic mission capabilities while simultaneously increasing safety margins. New Zealand currently operates the C-l30H aircraft and will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and support into its armed forces.
The prime contractor will be Lockheed Martin, Ft Worth, TX. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
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BulgarianMilitary.com
Editorial team