New Zealand aiming to replace Pinzgauers with new utility vehicles

New Zealand's Ministry of Defence (MoD) is aiming to replace the army's fleet of 321 6×6 Pinzgauer Light Operational Vehicles with new utility vehicles.

The MoD said in an “advance notice of intended future procurement” released on 12 July that it is seeking to purchase both medium and light utility vehicles under Phase 1 of its Protected Mobility Capability Project (PMCP).

A military or commercial off-the-shelf platform is desired, with the complete vehicles set to be delivered by a prime contractor that must also be the design authority for the vehicles. The contract would include integrated logistics support and through-life support arrangements.

The ‘Utility Vehicle – Medium' (UV-M) vehicle is expected to have a 2–4 tonne payload as well as space for four personnel and their equipment in its basic configuration. Armour protection is optional. The army is aiming to acquire a total of 106 UV-Ms in different versions, including 30 units in the cargo variant, 30 in the troop transport variant, 19 in the maintenance support variant, 18 in the command post variant, and nine in the ambulance variant.

The ‘Utility Vehicle – Light' (UV-L) vehicle is required to have a 1,400 kg payload as well as seating for a crew of 2–4 and space for stowage. It must be a low-weight vehicle with no armour protection. The army wants to acquire 99 UV-Ls, including 64 units in the general service variant and 35 units in a command and liaison variant.

A request for proposal is expected to be issued in the fourth quarter of 2021.

On 12 July the MoD also issued a request for information to small and mid-size firms for the provision of sub-contractor services to the prime contractor selected for Phase 1 of the PMCP.