Spanish mobility developer Urovesa has secured a contract to provide replacements for the New Zealand Army’s Unimog and Pinzgauer workhorse utility vehicles.
The agreement covers 20 VAMTAC ST5 light and 40 VAMTAC CK3 medium utility vehicles for local and international training, operational, and disaster relief roles, which will comprise 25 percent of the force’s existing utility fleet.
Wellington invested 100 million New Zealand dollars ($58.4 million) for the initial tranche of this project, which also covers spare parts, support equipment, and corresponding computing and communication solutions.
Urovesa will start the deliveries to the army in 2027.
Modernizing ‘Essential’ Fleet
New Zealand’s defense agency noted that the Unimog and Pinzgauer have been used for about four decades.
Some of them were recently deployed as part of a multinational Oceanian military coalition to address civil unrest in the Solomon Islands, as well as in a domestic mission in response to a severe tropical cyclone last year.
“Both the Unimog and Pinzgauer vehicles have served the New Zealand Army well over the years – but their retirement from service is overdue,” New Zealand Army Chief Maj. Gen. Rose King stated. “And so, it is with great excitement that we can see the replacement of these essential platforms begin.”
Urovesa’s ST5 and CK3 Vehicles
Urovesa’s VAMTAC ST5 weighs 6,000 kilograms (13,228 pounds) and measures 6 meters (20 feet) long.
It has a payload capacity of 1,700 kilograms (3,740 pounds) and a top speed of 110 kilometers (68 miles) per hour.
Meanwhile, the VAMTAC CK3 has a gross weight of 9,950 kilograms (21,930 pounds) and can carry 4,000 kilograms (8,810 pounds) of cargo. It has a similar chassis length and maximum speed to the ST5.
“The operational utility vehicle fleet has long-been the backbone of [New Zealand Defence Force] land operations,” New Zealand Deputy Defence Secretary for Capability Delivery Sarah Minson commented.
“The VAMTAC ST5 and CK3 vehicles are modern, efficient and fit for purpose. They have a proven track record, with more than 20 countries around the world using them including Singapore, as well as Spain and a number of other NATO nations.”