Modernising New Zealand’s Army Toward 2010

	Chief of Army, Major General Jerry Mateparae

My soldiers know that the Army is an integral part of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and what it means to conduct operations around the world. Accordingly, I want to correct misinformation and dispel misperceptions about the New Zealand Army and the New Zealand Light Armoured Vehicle (NZLAV) that have surfaced of late.

New Zealand’s Army has proven many times over that it is world-class. In the Army we recognise that to have a world-class army we must equip our people with first-class equipment. The Government has acknowledged this and has for the Army, Navy and Air Force committed to improving our defence capabilities. The Defence Long-Term Development Plan (LTDP) allows for $3 billion spending over the next decade to upgrade equipment. Significant project funding for the Navy and Air Force will enable the NZDF to upgrade our aircraft, to replace the Iroquois utility helicopter and make possible the acquisition of a Multi-Role Vessel (MRV) and several Patrol Vessels (Project Protector).

The New Zealand Light Armoured Vehicle (NZLAV) is a key component in the modernisation of the NZDF’s capabilities. It has been subject to ill-informed comment despite it enhancing the operational effectiveness of New Zealand’s Army across the full spectrum of operations from peacekeeping (such as in East Timor) to combat operations (such as in Afghanistan). Yet, the NZLAV is only one piece of modernising the Army, which includes a new light operational vehicle (LOV), anti-armour weapons, communications equipment and engineering equipment.

Prior to 1999 the NZ Army operated 104 light armoured vehicles (made up of 26 Scorpion Fire Support Vehicles and 78 M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers). The 25mm cannon and other systems on NZLAV negate the need for separate FSV and APC vehicle variants. With NZLAV, fire support and mobility capabilities will be imbedded in our Infantry Battalions.

The NZLAV is from the generic family of eight-wheeled third generation light armoured vehicles (LAV III) manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada (GDLS-C). Versions of the LAV III are in service with armies in Canada, the US, Ireland, Denmark, Spain, Qatar and Oman. Altogether there are about 5,200 in service around the world. NZLAV is a specifically manufactured version of LAV III for New Zealand’s Army. It includes a fully integrated weapons platform with state-of-the-art sighting, navigation and, fire and control systems. The fire control system and stabilisation (fire on the move) capability are a giant leap in technology and capability compared to the M113s. The ability to detect, identify and destroy a wide range of targets by day and night, from over two kilometres away, is a potent form of self-protection.

We are yet to field our NZLAV. However, the Canadian Armed Forces have operated their LAV IIIs in Eritrea and Afghanistan, and the United States Army’s Stryker vehicles are currently deployed in Iraq. In all these situations LAV III has performed exceptionally well. The Canadian LAVIII is in the same configuration (with a gun turret) as our NZLAV, albeit theirs is older and without some of the features our NZLAV has. The US Stryker is the same base vehicle as the NZLAV, but it only has a universal Remote Weapons System, which can have a heavy machine gun or grenade launcher, mounted. This is far from the significant capability of NZLAV that has a fully integrated turret system with a 25mm cannon.

Recent experience in Iraq for the US Army Strykers has proven that the survivability of the LAV III is up to the job. In January 2004 a Pentagon spokesman confirmed ‘there have been three known Improvised Explosive Device (IED) incidents in Iraq’. In the first ‘the vehicle was severely damaged, but the only injury to the crew was a broken leg’. In the second, a wheel was blown off ‘but the vehicle continued under its own power, which is part of the design’. In the third ‘there was moderate damage sustained, but the vehicle was recovered’, with minor injuries to the crew. On 02 February 2004, attackers fired a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) at a Stryker vehicle near Mosul in Iraq. No one was hurt and the vehicle was only slightly damaged as the protective armour deflected the blast. However, as former US Army Chief of Staff, General Eric Shinseki said ‘it is not a question of how much armour you put on it’ adding that Iraqi paramilitaries had destroyed two M1 Main Battle Tanks using RPGs, ‘the idea is to avoid taking the hit in the first place’.

Much has been made of the requirement to deploy NZLAV by C-130 Hercules aircraft. While we can transport NZLAV in a RNZAF C130, this is a side issue for NZ. Ships will always be the best way to transport heavy and/or large quantities of equipment, support vehicles and NZLAVs. In 1999 when New Zealand Defence Forces deployed to East Timor, four M113s were transported by air to Darwin. 21 M113s and ancillary equipment were transported by ship to Australia, and then all 25 M113s were deployed to East Timor by the Royal Australian Navy’s ships. When Project Protector is achieved, our Navy will be able to transport our NZLAVs in the MRV.

Currently, NZLAV is being operated in Waiouru and on roads throughout the central North Island. The soldiers operating it are convinced of its potency. For example, Staff Sergeant Mark Rutledge, a NZLAV Gunnery Instructor, said to the Army News last year it’s a ‘great weapons platform, its excellent to fire, especially on the move as you know you will have a good chance of getting your first rounds on target due to the advanced sighting and stabilisation systems’. NZ Army instructors have been training in Canada and operating NZLAV in NZ for almost twelve months. These instructors have operated our other armoured vehicles for many years. In March, training of our first LAV platoon from 1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment at Linton Camp commenced, and by mid year it will be ready to deploy to Australia for a major training exercise.

The NZ Army aspires to be a world-class Army that has mana. In part, that means we have to provide our soldiers with the best modern kit. But as we modernise there are other opportunities. Integrating new equipment, generating skills and continuing to contribute to a number of operational missions overseas requires time and resources. Growing the Army’s capability will not be achieved by simply issuing new equipment. It will be enhanced by adopting a Military Culture through our desire to serve NZ loyally and honourably, and by applying the essential values of courage, commitment, comradeship, and integrity. Right now the Army’s energies are focussed on our people – giving the resources and training we need and then harnessing the professionalism and commitment of our people to create an integrated force capable of precision manoeuvre through the full spectrum of conflict.