List of equipment of the New Zealand Army

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

Main article: Uniforms of the New Zealand Army

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[3]
Submachine guns
L2A3 Sterling		United Kingdom	Submachine gun	9×19mm Parabellum	In ceremonial use with the Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps.[4] Introduced in 1959. Partially replaced with the M16 in 1968, with full withdrawal from service following the introduction of the AUG and MP5.
Assault rifles & Battle rifles
LMT 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: Trijicon ACOG scope RMR red dot mounted on top M7 bayonet
M4 carbine		United States	Carbine	5.56×45mm NATO	[5][6][7] Used by New Zealand Special Air Service.
Precision rifles
LMT 308 MWS		United States	DMR Designated marksman rifle	7.62×51mm NATO	Standard issue DMR.[8] Adopted in October 2011. Equipment Leupold adjustable 4.5-14 × scope canted iron sights foldable foregrip
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.[9][10][11] Equipment: ATACR 5-25×56 F1 Nightforce scope
Barrett M107A1		United States	Anti materiel sniper rifle	12.7×99mm NATO	Introduced in 2018 [12][13]
Machine guns
FN Minimi TR Known as "7.62 LSW Minimi" in NZ forces		Belgium	Light machine gun	5.56×45mm NATO	Standard issue Light Support Weapon in the Army since 1988.[14] Selected in February 2012 to replace the C9 LSW Minimi and will be known as the 7.62 LSW Minimi in NZDF service.[15]
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 heavy sustained fire machine gun.[16] NZLAV LOV (Pinzgauer) NH-90
Browning M2HB-QCB		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		Italy	Hybrid Pump action /Semi Automatic shotgun	12 gauge	[17][18][19] Introduced in 2006
Grenade launchers and ammunition
M203		United States	Under-barrel renade launcher	40×46mm LV	[20] Used with the LMT MARS-L M4 carbine
Heckler & Koch GMG		Germany	Automatic grenade launcher	40×53mm HV	[21]
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	[22] 43 in service as of June 2015[23]
Javelin MRAW "Medium Range Anti-Armour Weapon"		United States	ATGM "Anti-tank guided missile"	127mm	[24] 24 launchers and 164 missiles ordered in 2004[25][26] 10 missiles ordered in 2014[27]

Indirect fire

Mortars

Model	Image	Origin	Type	Calibre	Number	Details
Hirtenberger M6		Austria	Infantry mortar	60mm	32	[28]
Hirtenberger M8		Austria	Mortar	81mm		[29][28]
L16A2		Canada United Kingdom	Mortar	81mm	50	[30]

Artillery

Model	Image	Origin	Type	Calibre	Number	Details
L119 light gun		United Kingdom	Field gun	105 mm	24 in inventory	[23][31] Ammunition used: US M1
Ordnance QF 25-pounder		United Kingdom	Ceremonial gun	3.45-inch (87.6 mm)	7 in inventory[23]	[32] Retired from operational service in September 1977. The 25-pounder gun is used by the ceremonial saluting battery at Point Jerningham, Wellington for official events and 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.[33] In 2012, 20 NZLAVs were made available to be sold, and in 2019 this amount was raised to 30.[34] 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.[34]
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.[35][36] The Army acquired 43 Bushmasters variant NZ5.5 to replace the existing fleet of armored NZLOVs (that is, armored Pinzgauer vehicles) with the last of deliveries arriving by August 22, 2024.[37][38][39][40]
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.[41] Issued to the High Readiness Company of the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (1 RNZIR)[42]
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.[43][44] The SOV-MH replaced the Pinzgauer Special Operations (MV-SO) vehicle.[43]
Pinzgauer High-Mobility All-Terrain Vehicle		Austria	All-wheel drive vehicle	321	The NZ Army operates 321 Pinzgauer vehicles over eight variants to fulfill the Light Operational Vehicle (LOV) role.[45] They are currently being replaced under the Projected Mobility Project.[46]
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		Austria Germany	Medium/Heavy vehicle Bridging Vehicle Heavy recovery vehicle	197	The NZ Army operates 194 MAN:[47] HX58 - 4×4 HX60 - 6×6 HX77 - 8×8Medium and Heavy Operational Vehicles (MHOV), they were brought into service in the mid-2010s in order to replace parts of the aging Unimog U1700 fleet.[48] The Rapidly Emplaced Bridge System provides a bridging capability to support the NZLAV.[49]
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 (Light Armoured Vehicles).
Recovery vehicles
RMMB HX44M - Heavy recovery vehicles	Illustration	Austria Germany	Wrecker	3	Ordered in 2018, delivered in 2021, lift tow” capacity of 15 tons.[50]
Engineering vehicles
MAN / GDELS REBS Truck Rapidly Emplaced Bridging System	Illustration	Germany	Bridge laying vehicle	—	[51]
JCB HMEE		United Kingdom	p	6	In 2011 six JCB High Mobility Engineer Excavator (HMEE) combat tractors were delivered to the Army, they are operated in support of Combat engineers.[52]
CAT 938K		United States United Kingdom	Track laying vehicle	2	Equipped with the FAUN M30H Trackway Dispenser.[53]
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.[54]
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[55]
Support vehicles
Nissan Navara		Japan	Support Vehicle	30[citation needed]
Mitsubishi Triton		Japan	Support Vehicle	130[citation needed]	[56]
Toyota RAV4		Japan	Support Vehicle
Yutong ZK6760		China	Bus	2	12 on order[57]
Iveco Daily		Italy	Ambulance	12[citation needed]
MAN TGM 15.290		Germany	Fire truck	1[citation needed]	[58]
Scania P93		Sweden	Fire truck	3[citation needed]
Scania G93		Sweden	Fire truck	2[citation needed]
Volvo FL280		Sweden	Fire truck	[citation needed]	[58][59]
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.[60]

Electronic warfare and communications

Name	Image	Origin	Type	Number	Details
L3Harris AN/PRC-158		United States	Tactical radio		[61]
L3Harris AN/PRC-160		United States	Tactical radio		[61]
L3Harris AN/PRC-163		United States	Combat radio		[61]
L3Harris RF-7850S		United States	Combat radio		[61]
AN/TPQ-49 LCMR "Lightweight Counter Mortar Radar"	Illustration	United States	Counter battery radar	4	[62]

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.[63]
AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma		United States	Unmanned aerial vehicle	1	A single Puma is in operational service.[64]
Skycam Kahu		New Zealand	Training and limited battlefield surveillance	at least 6[65]	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.[66]
Skydio RQ-28A		United States	Reconnaissance quadcopter		Used for reconnaissance by the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.[67]
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.[68]
DJI Phantom 4				1
Teledyne FLIR Black Hornet Nano		Norway	Micro aerial vehicle		Used for reconnaissance by the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment and New Zealand Special Air Service.[69]

Future equipment

Equipment ordered

Model	Image	Origin	Type	Quantity ordered	Notes
Military vehicles
URO Vamtac ST5 ST5		Spain	Utility light armoured vehicle	20	Successor to the Unimog and the Pinzgauer. Ordered in November 2024 for €56 million.[70][71]
Vamtac SK95 CK3		Spain	Utility medium sized vehicle	40
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.[72]
Electric utility motorcycles	Illustration	—	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.[73][74]

See also

• List of individual weapons of the New Zealand armed forces
• Tanks of New Zealand
• Uniforms of the New Zealand Army
• List of former equipment of the New Zealand Army