Photo: Ministry of Defence / Supplied
The Defence Force has done a $100m deal to replace its old Unimog and Pinzgauer vehicles.
It has signed up for a Spanish manufacturer, Urovesa, to deliver 60 new small- and medium-sized unarmoured utility vehicles from the end of 2027.
The army said the replacement of the old vehicles that were the "backbone" of land operations" was overdue.
"It is with great excitement that we can see the replacement of these essential platforms begin," said Chief of Army, Major General Rose King.
The Spanish vehicles had a proven track record with other militaries, and would help it co-ordinate with partners, King said.
The medium-size truck could handle water 1.5m deep, and both vehicles were able to adjust tyre pressure on difficult terrain.
Although the deal was funded in Budget 2024, no allowance had been made for rising cost pressures, pushing the Defence Force into a series of cutbacks and into an industrial dispute with its civilian staff over a zero percent pay offer.
The NZDF's other $100m vehicle upgrade - where it will acquire 43 Australian-made Bushmasters - will continue throughout the 2020s.
The vehicles were delivered last year though need extra systems, and the whole project had been running well behind schedule.
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