ARMYCAPABILITY 05
NEXT STEPS ANNOUNCED FOR ARMY PROTECTED MOBILITY The NZ Army will soon take delivery of a fleet of 43 Bushmaster NZ5.5 vehicles along with training, a desk top simulator, and operational equipment. The Government has approved funding of $102.9 million for the project. Getting people safely where they need to be, when they need to be there, is vital to mission success. Chief of Army’s Army25 Strategy is designed around the Army being a modern, agile, highly adaptive light combat force, and the Bushmasters will be part of that force. In 2019, Government launched its Defence Capability Plan – part of which signalled a re-equipping of the current NZ Army Pinzgauer fleet with modern, armoured vehicles better suited for an Army where agility is key. Delivered through the Protected Mobility Capability Project – an integrated project team with staff from the Ministry of Defence and NZ Defence Force – and announced recently by the Minister of Defence, the Australian-built Bushmaster will provide a multipurpose, highly mobile vehicle that provides a high level of protection across multiple environments. “The versatility of this vehicle will increase the Defence Force’s ability to help our communities during a time of need such as a natural disaster, and contribute to supporting vital peacekeeping operations with our global partners,” said Defence Minister, Ron Mark.
Along with wide use in Australia and other Five Eyes nations, the Bushmaster is already in service with New Zealand’s Special Operations Forces. The vehicle’s high levels of blast and ballistic protection makes it suitable for deployment as a troop transport, operating as a command and communication hub, and as a means of evacuating casualties. The vehicles will be based at Queen Alexandra’s Mounted Rifles (QAMR), in Linton Military camp. Work is underway through the Defence Logistics Command Consolidated Logistics Project to relocate and upgrade the stormwater network in preparation for the construction of new purpose-built maintenance and repair facilities for 2 Workshop Company, which will be capable of supporting the Army’s current and future vehicle fleets, including the new Bushmaster fleet. This is the second fleet of protected mobility vehicles approved for purchase by the Government. It follows delivery this year of the Polaris MRZR fleet of side by side all-terrain vehicles that were announced last year to replace the quad bikes and other small vehicles used by the New Zealand Army. Deliveries are expected to commence in late 2022 with the full fleet beginning operational introduction and the fleet workshops being completed from late 2023.
An impression of the new workshop which will support Army vehicles.
Tech Specs Weight
17 tonne
Payload
5 tonne
Seating capacity Up to 10 personnel depending on variant Engine Caterpillar C3126e in-line 6-cylinder 7.2 litre turbocharged diesel engine Transmission ZF Automatic 6HP502 ECOMAT G2 Wheels fitted with run flats which enable the vehicle to continue moving after loss of air pressure. Fitted with a Central Tyre Inflation System to improve cross country mobility. Vehicle design and construction material provide protection against attacks from ballistic and blast weapons. Capable of carrying a machine gun and military communications systems. Some vehicles will be fitted with self-recovery winches, while others will have an auxiliary power unit to provide electrical power when the engine is not operating.
