By JO-MARIE BROWN
The Army's capability in peacekeeping and other military operations will take a huge leap forward with the Government's decision to spend $611 million on upgrading its armoured vehicles.
The Canadian-manufactured LAV 111 armoured personnel carriers will replace the Vietnam-vintage M113s, whose unreliability and lack of equipment have plagued the
Army in peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and East Timor.
The director of Victoria University's Centre for Strategic Studies, Dr David Dickens, said the M113s had been the best armoured fighting vehicles available when they were built in the 1970s.
But they were not well equipped for the heavy artillery used in Bosnia in 1993 and needed extra armour, which slowed them considerably.
As a result, the M113s could not carry out frontline duties or provide adequate protection for the troops they carried, he said.
"That of course was a disappointment to New Zealand and the Army, because we were committed but could only do certain limited roles," said Dr Dickens.
More than $120 million will be spent on new tactical radios to replace those that caused embarrassment in East Timor recently.
Soldiers were forced to carry extra radios on the M113s because the equipment had worn out and was prone to failure, Dr Dickens said. "The old radios provided problems in that it just made everything more difficult.
"The signallers over there got very frustrated. When you got into emergencies it meant you couldn't rely on your communication."
The new LAV 111s would not only have the latest communication and sensor capabilities available, but would also carry a greater range of ammunition and travel at up to 100 km/h.
The Chief of General Staff, Major-General Maurice Dodson, said the new equipment would give troops more confidence overseas.
The 105 LAV 111s, which will service both battalions of the Army, will be delivered over three years from 2002.
Comparing the old M113 and the new LAV III
Length:
4.8m --- 6.9m
Width:
2.7m --- 2.7m
Speed:
45 km/h --- 1000 km/h
Range:
480km --- 500km
Armament:
.50 calibre machinegun, 7.62mm machinegun ---
25mm chain gun, 7.62mm machinegun, 8 smoke grenade launchers
Mechanical:
250hp diesel, 3 speed ---
350hp diesel, 6 forward gears, 8x8 drive, ABS brakes
Capacity:
2 crew, 10 troops --- 3 crew, 7 troops
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