New Zealand is anticipating delivery of its first VAMTAC ST5 4×4 high-mobility tactical vehicle prototype, manufactured by Spanish defence company URO Vehículos Especiales SA (UROVESA).
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced in a 16 May statement that the prototype vehicle will be operated by a joint MoD and New Zealand Army team to develop, integrate, and test New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) communications and digital systems.
The MoD earlier signed a contract with UROVESA in November 2024 to procure the Spanish company’s VAMTAC (Vehículo de Alta Movilidad Táctico) 4×4 high-mobility tactical vehicles for the New Zealand Army.
The ministry noted at the time that UROVESA will initially deliver a first tranche of 40 VAMTAC CK3 medium vehicles and 20 VAMTAC ST5 light vehicles worth NZ$100 million by 2027 as part of the Protected Mobility Capability Project (PMCP) programme.
It added that the deal represents the first of its kind with Spain in terms of scale, and the vehicles are also in use with 20 countries around the world including Singapore and NATO countries.
According to the ministry, the first tranche covers the purchase of the vehicles, spare parts, computing and communications equipment, support equipment, project costs, and introduction into service costs. The new vehicles will also be equipped with the service’s Network Enabled Army compliant communications systems and equipment and will replace 25% of the New Zealand Army’s Pinzgauer and Unimog vehicle fleet, which have been in operation for almost 40 years.
“This vehicle is the first VAMTAC ST5 medium variant to be built by UROVESA for the MoD, as part of a project to replace the NZDF’s most frequently deployed operational vehicle fleet,” said New Zealand’s Deputy Secretary of Capability Delivery Sarah Minson.
“The construction and testing of this vehicle prototype is a significant milestone for the project team, who are working to deliver 60 new VAMTAC ST5 light and CK3 medium-sized utility vehicles, as part of tranche one of the project,” added Minson.
by Jr Ng
