A number of the Defence Force’s domestic operational and training support vehicle fleets, such as fire appliances and aircraft bulk refuelling vehicles, need to be replaced due to age and obsolescence issues.
Whilst not intended for use outside New Zealand, these vehicles support domestic operations, such as rural fire fighting, and/or enable operations, for example by re-fuelling aircraft.
To ensure that these capabilities are maintained, the project has been split into two phases.
Phase One will deliver improved availability and reliability of domestic operational and training support vehicle fleets, increasing operating safety and efficiency and reducing maintenance costs.
- Domestic Fire Appliances: six appliances have been delivered through Lower Hutt based company, Fraser Engineering Ltd (NZ).
- Medical Response Vehicle: 12 vehicles have been delivered through Hamilton based company, Action Manufacturing. A training simulator has also been acquired. Interim Operational Release was achieved in June 2022.
- Rural Fire Appliances: a contract was signed with Volvo (Australia) in December 2020 for 11 appliances, and all 11 have been delivered.
Phase Two will be the progressive replacement of the remainder of the GATS fleets.
Contracts
Contracts
Airfield Response Appliances (ARA)
In November 2020, a contract was awarded to Oshkosh Airport Products, USA for two ARAs (of the total fleet of eight).
Domestic Fire Appliances (DFA)
The Project is working with Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) for the acquisition of six new Type 3 appliances. Under the arrangement with FENZ, maintenance of the NZDF fleet will be managed by FENZ.
Medical Response Vehicles (MRV)
In May 2020, a contract was awarded to Hamilton-based Action Manufacturing for a fleet of six MRVs, which was later increased to 12. These are based on the Iveco Daily 4x4 and replace the 30 year old Unimog-based medical vehicles.
Mobile Bulk Aviation Fuelling Capability (MBAFC)
In August 2020 a contract was awarded to Holmwood Highgate (Australia) for a fleet of six MBAFCs, based on the Volvo FMX cab/chassis with a 40,000 litre fuel capacity (13,000 litres in the truck tank and 27,000 in the trailer).
Rural Fire Appliances (RFA)
In December 2020, a contract was awarded to Volvo Group Australia for a fleet of 11 RFAs based on the Volvo FL280 dual cab as the Primemover truck. Wellington based Fraser Engineering Ltd, will undertake the design and engineering work including the integration of the existing New Zealand Defence Force demountable fire pod.
