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Posts Tagged ‘NZDF’

New Zealand Defence Force To Replace Current Service Pistol With Glock 17

Monday, November 30th, 2015

glock17gen4pistol

Earlier this month, the New Zealand Defence Force announced their current SIG Sauer P226 service pistol is to be replaced with the “new generation” (likely GEN 4) Glock 17 pistol. The pistols will be introduced into service across the New Zealand Navy, Army, and Air Force in the second half of 2016.

Lieutenant Colonel Dean Paul of the Land Capability Delivery Branch had this to say about the adoption of the Glock 17 pistol:

“Ensuring we remain a force equipped to succeed means supplying our people with fit-for-purpose personal protection weapons. This is part of our 2020 strategy for enhanced combat capability and we are pleased to be rolling out the new pistols next year.”

Australian company NIOA Nominees Pty Ltd was awarded the $1.8 million contract to supply approximately 1900 Glock 17s to the NZDF. The contract includes the pistols, along with ancillaries and through-life support.

This follows the announcement earlier in the year that the NZDF is replacing the Steyr AUG rifle currently in service with a Lewis Machine & Tool AR-15 pattern rifle. The particular model of rifle has yet to be announced.

Source: www.nzdf.mil.nz/news/media-releases/2015/20151125-nzdftgngp

The New Zealand Army To Replace The Steyr With A Lewis Machine & Tool AR-15 Style Rifle

Monday, August 17th, 2015

According to a Request for Tender available on the New Zealand Ministry of Defence website, The New Zealand Army has chosen to replace the Steyr AUG currently in service with an AR-15 Style rifle manufactured by Lewis Machine & Tool. The US-based manufacturer was one of multiple companies chosen for the Individual Weapon Trial Phase, which was conducted between March 2nd and June 1st of 2015.

Replacement Individual Weapon

After the trials, LMT was selected by the Ministry of Defence as the preferred Tenderer. Pending a Due Dilligence activity by the Ministry, negotiation of a contract package, and New Zealand Government approval, LMT will be awarded a contract to provide the rifles. The exact model of LMT rifle hasn’t been revealed, although according to sources, the rifles are expected to start fielding in 2016-2017.

The New Zealand Army is already well acquainted with Lewis Machine & Tool, having selected and fielded a LMT DMR since 2012. Here is a video released by the NZDF of the LMT DMR in action:

You can find out more information on the New Zealand Army’s ongoing Weapon Replacement and Upgrade Program at www.army.mil.nz/our-capability/firepower/weapons-upgrade.

New Zealand Defence Force Receives Government Approval To Replace AUG

Wednesday, July 2nd, 2014

Steyr-AUG

New Zealand Defence Minister Jonathan Colemon announced that the New Zealand Defence Force has received government approval to replace the Steyr AUG currently in service with up to 8800 new rifles.

A competitive tender will be conducted to purchase an off-the-shelf replacement. The NZDM is currently seeking a rifle capable of being optimized for a variety of situations, one that offers consistency in fire from close quarters to out to 500m in daylight conditions, half that in low light. According to a 2011 Ministry of Defence report, operations in Afghanistan showed that the AUG was ineffective at ranges greater than 200m, and it was difficult to accurately identify adversaries.

The NZDF has already introduced new light machine guns, combat shotguns, and marksman rifles into service. Future projects would consider replacements for the current pistols, sniper rifles, and grenade launchers.

Hat tip: www.janes.com/article/39552/new-zealand-govt-approves-steyr-replacement-programme