List of equipment of the New Zealand Army
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of equipment of the New Zealand Army currently in use. It includes small arms, combat vehicles, aircraft, watercraft, artillery and transport vehicles. The New Zealand Army is the principal land warfare force of New Zealand, a part of the New Zealand Defence Force. Since the ANZUS breakup and the end of the Cold War, the New Zealand Army has been deployed to a number of conflict zones, often as part of a coalition force or part of a United Nations peacekeeping operation.
Infantry section equipment
A standard New Zealand infantry section consists of ten soldiers, divided into two five-men infantry fireteams. While equipment formations can be tailored as required by section and platoon commanders, infantry sections are usually issued with the following:[1]
Weapons
- Eight LMT MARS-L rifles, two of which are usually equipped with an M203 under-barrel grenade launcher.
- One LMT 308 MWS designated marksman rifle.
- One FN Minimi 7.62 light machine gun.
- Nine M7 bayonets for use with LMT MARS-L and LMT 308 MWS rifles.
Vision systems
- Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG) to be used with the LMT MARS-L rifle.
- Leupold & Stevens Mark 6 telescopic sight to be used with the LMT 308 MWS designated marksman rifle.
- Dueck Defense rapid transition sight to be used with the LMT 308 MWS designated marksman rifle.
Uniforms
Weapons
| Model | Image | Origin | Type | Calibre | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat Knife | |||||
| M7 bayonet |  |
 United States |
Bayonet | — | [2] |
| Handguns | |||||
| Glock 17, 4th gen |  |
 Austria |
Semi-automatic pistol | 9×19mm Parabellum | Standard issue pistol.[3] |
| Submachine guns | |||||
| Heckler & Koch MP5 |  |
 West Germany |
Submachine gun | 9×19mm Parabellum | Used by the New Zealand Special Air Service. |
| Assault rifles & Battle rifles | |||||
| LMT MARS-L LMT = Lewis Machine & Tool Company; MARS-L = Modular Assault Rifle System - Light |
 |
United States |
Assault rifle | 5.56×45mm NATO | Standard issue assault rifle.[2]
Adopted in 2015 to replace the Steyr AUG. Ordered in 2 different barrel lengths, and equipped with:
|
| M4 carbine |  |
United States |
Carbine | 5.56×45mm NATO | [4][5][6] Used by New Zealand Special Air Service. |
| Precision rifles | |||||
| LMT 308 MWS Modular Weapon System |
 |
United States |
DMR Designated marksman rifle |
7.62×51mm NATO | Standard issue DMR.[7]
Adopted in October 2011. Equipment:
|
| Barrett MRAD Multi-role Adaptive Design |
 |
United States |
Bolt action sniper rifle | 7.62×51mm NATO (for training) 8.6×70mm (operational calibre) |
Introduced in 2018, replacement of the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare.[8][9][10]
Equipment:
|
| Barrett M107A1 |  |
United States |
Anti materiel sniper rifle | 12.7×99mm NATO | Introduced in 2018.[11][12] |
| Machine guns | |||||
| FN Minimi TR Known as "7.62 LSW Minimi" in NZ forces |
 |
 Belgium |
Light machine gun | 7.62×51mm NATO | Standard issue Light Support Weapon. In use in the Army since 1988.[13]
Selected in February 2012 to replace the C9 LSW Minimi and will be known as the 7.62 LSW Minimi in NZDF service.[14] |
| FN MAG 58 |  |
Belgium |
General-purpose machine gun | 7.62×51mm NATO | The Belgian FN MAG replaced the L7A2 variant of the FN MAG that was purchased in 1976. Used on vehicles as sustained fire machine gun.[15] |
| Browning M2HB-QCB | .jpg) |
United States |
Heavy machine gun | 12.7×99mm NATO | Used as heavy support weapon, mounted on vehicles, and some on tripods on some advanced positions. |
| Shotguns | |||||
| Benelli M3 | .jpg) |
 Italy |
Hybrid Pump action /Semi Automatic shotgun | 12 gauge | [16][17][18] Introduced in 2006. |
| Grenade launchers and ammunition | |||||
| M203 |  |
United States |
Under-barrel grenade launcher | 40×46mm LV | [19]
Used with the |
| Heckler & Koch GMG | .jpg) |
Germany |
Automatic grenade launcher | 40×53mm HV | [20] |
| Anti-tank weapons | |||||
| M72 LAW "66 mm Short-Range Anti-Armour Weapon" |
 |
 Norway United States |
Anti-tank rocket launcher | 66mm | 3200 in stock March 2021.[citation needed] A single shot disposable anti-armour weapon. |
| Carl Gustav M3 "L14A1 Carl Gustav Medium Direct Fire Support Weapon" |
 |
 Sweden |
Recoilless rifle | 84mm | [21] 43 M3s in service as of June 2015.[22] 26 M4 variants acquired as replacement of M3 systems in 2026 (delivery in 2027).[23] |
| Javelin MRAAW "Medium Range Anti-Armour Weapon" |
 |
United States |
ATGM "Anti-tank guided missile" |
127mm | [24] |
Indirect fire
Mortars
![](#/media/File:Italian_Army_-_66th_Airmobile_Infantry_Regiment_"Trieste"_soldier_firing_a_60mm_mortar_during_an_exercise_in_2020.png)
Artillery
| Model | Image | Origin | Type | Calibre | Number | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L119 light gun |  |
 United Kingdom |
Field gun | 105 mm | 24 in inventory | [22][31]
Ammunition used: US M1 |
| Ordnance QF 25-pounder | .jpg) |
United Kingdom |
Ceremonial gun | 3.45-inch (87.6 mm) | 7 in inventory[22] | [32]
Retired from operational service in September 1977. Four 25-pounder guns are used by the ceremonial saluting battery at Point Jerningham, Wellington for official events.[33] The 25-pounder is also used as the official funeral gun carriage. |
Vehicles
| Model | Image | Origin | Type | Number | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armoured vehicles | |||||
| NZLAV |  |
 Canada |
Infantry fighting vehicle | 73 (+8 surplus) | Wheeled infantry fighting vehicle, a variant of the Canadian LAV III. Originally 105 NZLAVs, including 95 Infantry Mobility Vehicle (IMV), 7 Light Obstacle Blade Vehicle (LOB) and 3 Recovery Vehicle (LAV-R).
In 2003, the New Zealand armed forces purchased 105 LAV (Light Armored Vehicle) from Canada, of which 102 were standard vehicles (LOB is a standard NZLAV with a bulldozer blade attached) and 3 were redesigned for recovery. In 2010, the government said it would look at the possibility of selling 35 LAVs, around a third of the fleet, as being surplus to requirements.[34] In 2012, 20 NZLAVs were made available to be sold, and in 2019 this amount was raised to 30.[35] On 20 April 2022, New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) announced that they had sold 22 NZLAVs to Chilean Navy. After the sale to Chile, NZDF still had 8 NZLAVs in their inventory for sale. One NZLAV has been written off after being damaged in Afghanistan and one NZLAV is being used in Canada (source country for NZLAV) as a test vehicle. 73 NZLAVs remain in service with NZDF as of April 2022.[35] |
| Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle |  |
 Australia |
Protected vehicle | 48 | The New Zealand Special Air Service operates five Thales Bushmasters designated the Special Operations Vehicle - Protected Heavy (SOV-PH), purchased from Australian Defence Force stock.[36][37] The Army acquired 43 Bushmaster NZ5.5 variants to replace the existing fleet of armored NZLOVs (armoured Pinzgauer vehicles), with the last deliveries arriving by 22 August 2024.[38][39][40][41] |
| Transport vehicles | |||||
| Polaris MRZR |  |
United States |
Utility Task Vehicle | 6 | The MRZR is a militarised version of the Polaris RZR recreational vehicle. It is diesel powered, fitted with run flat tires and an infra-red light to aid driving using night vision goggles.[42] Issued to the High Readiness Company of the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (1 RNZIR).[43] |
| Supacat HMT Extenda "SOV MH - Special operations vehicle Mobility Heavy" |
 |
United Kingdom |
Special operations vehicle | 6 | The New Zealand Special Air Service operate an undisclosed number of Supacat HMT Extenda vehicles designated the Special Operations Vehicles - Mobility Heavy (SOV-MH) that entered service in 2018.[44][45] The SOV-MH replaced the Pinzgauer Special Operations (MV-SO) vehicle.[44] |
| Pinzgauer High-Mobility All-Terrain Vehicle |  |
Austria |
All-wheel drive vehicle | 321 | The NZ Army operates 321 Pinzgauer vehicles in eight variants to fulfill the Light Operational Vehicle (LOV) role.[46] They are currently being replaced under the Protected Mobility Project.[47] |
| Mercedes-Benz Unimog |  |
West Germany / Germany |
Medium vehicle | 82 | Planned to be replaced under the Garrison Support & Training vehicle project. Used for support during the 2021 Canterbury Flooding. |
| RMMV Medium and Heavy Operational Vehicle | _with_RMMV_MAC_protected_cabin.JPG) |
Austria Germany |
Medium/Heavy vehicle Bridging Vehicle Heavy recovery vehicle |
197 | The NZ Army operates 194 RMMV:[48]
The Rapidly Emplaced Bridge System provides a bridging capability to support the NZLAV.[50] |
| Mercedes-Benz Actros |  |
Germany |
Heavy vehicle | 4 | In 2010, New Zealand purchased 4 Actros to haul adjustable-width quad-axle low-loader semitrailers primarily for the transportation of NZLAVs. |
| Recovery vehicles | |||||
| RMMB HX44M - Heavy recovery vehicles |  |
Austria Germany |
Wrecker | 3 | Ordered in 2018, delivered in 2021, lift tow capacity of 15 tons.[51] |
| Engineering vehicles | |||||
| MAN / GDELS REBS Truck Rapidly Emplaced Bridging System |
 |
Germany |
Bridge laying vehicle | — | [52] |
| JCB HMEE |  |
United Kingdom |
6 | In 2011, six JCB High Mobility Engineer Excavator (HMEE) combat tractors were delivered to the Army, operated in support of combat engineers.[53] | |
| CAT 938K | United States United Kingdom |
Track laying vehicle | 2 | Equipped with the FAUN M30H Trackway Dispenser.[54] | |
| BPRV | United States  New Zealand |
Beach preparation and recovery vehicle | 2 | Based on Caterpillar D555 'forestry skidder'. In service with the Amphibious Beach Team, 5 Movements Company.[55] | |
| Manitou MLT/MHT-X Series |  France |
Telehandler | At least 14 | Nine MLT-X 625 75H. One MHT-X 10130 (as of 2021). Four MHT-X 10230.[56] | |
| Support vehicles | |||||
| Nissan Navara |  |
 Japan |
Support vehicle | 30[citation needed] | |
| Mitsubishi Triton | .jpg) |
Japan |
Support vehicle | 130[citation needed] | [57] |
| Toyota RAV4 |  |
Japan |
Support vehicle | ||
| Ford Ranger | USA |
Military police vehicle | 18 | Emergency Response Vehicles of the Joint Military Police Unit (JMPU) of the Joint Support Group (JSG)[58] | |
| Yutong ZK6760 |  |
 China |
Bus | 2 | 12 on order[59] |
| Iveco Daily |  |
Italy |
Ambulance | 12[citation needed] | |
| MAN TGM 15.290 | Germany |
Fire truck | 1[citation needed] | [60] | |
| Scania P93 |  |
Sweden |
Fire truck | 3[citation needed] | |
| Scania G93 |  |
Sweden |
Fire truck | 2[citation needed] | |
| Volvo FL280 | Sweden |
Fire truck | [citation needed] | [60][61] | |
| International 1810 | United States |
Fire truck | 1[citation needed] | ||
Watercraft
| Name | Image | Origin | Type | Number | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FC530 MilPro Zodiac |  |
France |
Rigid inflatable boat | Both FC470 (4.7m) and FC530 (5.3m) variants in service.[62] |
Electronic warfare and communications
| Name | Image | Origin | Type | Number | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L3Harris AN/PRC-158 |  |
United States |
Tactical radio | [63] | |
| L3Harris AN/PRC-160 |  |
United States |
Tactical radio | [63] | |
| L3Harris AN/PRC-163 |  |
United States |
Combat radio | [63] | |
| L3Harris RF-7850S | United States |
Combat radio | [63] | ||
| AN/TPQ-49 LCMR
"Lightweight Counter Mortar Radar" |
.jpg) |
United States |
Counter battery radar | 4 | [64] |
Unmanned aerial vehicles
| Name | Image | Origin | Type | Number | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quantum Vector VTOL |  |
Germany |
Tiltrotor UAV | Used for reconnaissance and fire correction by the Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery.[65] | |
| AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma |  |
United States |
Unmanned aerial vehicle | 1 | A single Puma is in operational service.[66] |
| Skycam Kahu |  |
New Zealand |
Training and limited battlefield surveillance | at least 6[67] | Kahu was developed by the Defence Technology Agency. It served as a vehicle for technology development and enabled the NZDF to gain first-hand experience as an RPAS operator. Kahu has also been deployed operationally on a limited basis.[68] |
| Skydio RQ-28A | United States |
Reconnaissance quadcopter | Used for reconnaissance by the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.[69] | ||
| DJI Mavic Pro |  |
China |
Training and experimentation purposes | 26 | Used as a concept, training and experimentation platform to assist the army in assessing future use cases for UAS systems. These systems are used only in unclassified training space, never connected to the Internet or NZDF networks, and are not for deployment.[70] |
| DJI Phantom 4 |  |
1 | |||
| Teledyne FLIR Black Hornet Nano | .jpg) |
Norway |
Micro aerial vehicle | Used for reconnaissance by the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment and New Zealand Special Air Service.[71] |
Future equipment
Equipment ordered
| Model | Image | Origin | Type | Quantity ordered | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Military vehicles | |||||
| URO Vamtac ST5 |  |
 Spain |
Utility light armoured vehicle | 20 | Successor to the Unimog and the Pinzgauer.
Ordered in November 2024 for €56 million.[72][73] First vehicle arrived in New Zealand in 2025.[74] |
| Vamtac SK95 CK3 |  |
Spain |
Utility medium sized vehicle | 40 | |
| Daimler Unimog Truck | Germany |
Medium Vehicle | 61 | All ordered together for NZD59.915 million (USD33.5 million) in 2026. These are expected to replace some of the ageing vehicles in the fleet.[75] | |
| Mitsubishi Triton | Japan |
Utility vehicle | 24 | ||
| Ford Tourneo Sport | USA |
Minibus | 36 | ||
| Staff vehicles | |||||
| Hyundai Ioniq |  |
 South Korea |
Electric staff vehicle | — | In efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, the army is trialing the electric Hyundai Ioniq, in addition to installing electric vehicle charging stations at Trentham Military Camp.[76] |
| Electric utility motorcycles |  |
— | Electric utility motorcycles | — | UBCO electric bikes are currently being trialed by Battle Lab for the purposes of reconnaissance and surveillance, airfield security and other transport roles.[77][78] |