The New Zealand Ministry of Defence (MoD) has issued a tender supporting the procurement of utility vehicles (UVs) as a part of the country's Protected Mobility Capability Project (PMCP).

In a request for proposal (RFP), the MoD invited the “respondents to submit a proposal” for the supply of light and medium UVs along with the associated spares, contract data, services, training, and other items.

Nick Gillard, director of the land domain at the New Zealand MoD, told Janes that the RFP covers the supply of approximately 230 light and medium UVs.

In addition to general services, the light UVs will be used for liaison and command purposes, Gillard said.

He added that the medium UVs will be used to support command and control (C2), and forward information support team. The medium UVs will also be used as ambulances and maintenance vehicles.

“These vehicles need to be easily deployable, and able to move people, equipment, and supplies during disaster relief operations, and in what are often [called] difficult environments,” Gillard said.

In July 2020, the MoD announced the replacement of the existing armoured Pinzgauers with the Australian-manufactured Bushmaster NZ5.5. The current RFP is the MoD's bid to procure UVs to allow the retirement of unarmoured Pinzgauers and operational Unimogs.

“Options are being sought for potential replacements for the current unarmoured Pinzgauer and operational Unimog vehicles, some of which are up to 40 years old and nearing the end of their useful lives,” Gillard said.

However, “no decision on potential replacement vehicles is expected until 2024”, Gillard added.