The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has started a search for new Light and Medium Multi-Purpose Vehicles (LMPV and MMPV) to replace its existing fleet.
In a Request for Information (RFI) released on 5 October, the NZDF wants details about potential vehicles that can fill LMPV and MMPV requirements under its Garrison And Training Support (GATS) project.
The GATS project will replace the NZDF’s existing Unimog U1700L trucks, Utes, ambulances, fire trucks and airfield/aircraft ground handling and support vehicles among other specialist platforms, to improve capabilities and move towards a more integrated fleet.
“The GATS Project was established to co-ordinate and to provide NZDF with an enhanced and integrated fleet of vehicles that are better able to meet the challenges of the contemporary and future training environment and enabling support concepts,” the RFI states.
There are up to seven LMPV variants desired including: a 4x4 off-road troop transport minibus; a standard road troop transport minibus; a single cab 4x4 off-road logistics deck vehicle; a single cab standard road variant logistics deck; a crew cab 4x4 off-road logistics deck vehicle; a crew cab standard road variant logistics deck vehicle; and a single cab standard road logistics van.
The minimum vehicle payload is 2,000kg and the troop transports must hold at least 10 people including the driver.
There are only two MMPV variants expected that the RFI explains should be equivalent in size to its existing Unimog truck: a single cab 4x4 off-road logistics deck and a single cab standard road variant logistics deck or box body vehicle. These must have the rear deck that can hold at least two-thirds of a TEU container and have a minimum payload of 4000kg.
There is also a mandatory requirement for any NZDF vehicle operating off-road to have a roll-over protection structure to be included.
To meet this wide variety of roles, a series of Commercial Off-The-Shelf vehicles procured across multiple years is desired with a contract to include integration and support activities for the LMPV and MMPV fleets.
One of the key elements of the GATS Project is for the delivery of a low emissions standard solution including battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles, or hybrid electric vehicles, across the LMPV and MMPV variants. The battery electric vehicles must have a range of 300-400km.
Responses to the RFI are required by 3 November 2023 with a Request for Proposal (RFP) to follow.
Meanwhile the NZDF is in the process of assessing the responses to a RFP for new Utility Vehicle – Light (UV-L) and Utility Vehicle – Medium (UV-M) platforms under Phase 1 of its Protected Mobility Capability Project (PMCP). PMCP will replace the NZ Army’s existing 321 6x6 Pinzgauer light operational vehicles.