The New Zealand Defence Force has received its first prototype URO VAMTAC ST5 vehicle, produced at UROVESA military vehicle factory in Galicia, Spain. The vehicle was transported from Europe aboard a Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130J-30 transport aircraft. The prototype vehicle will be used by a joint Ministry of Defence and New Zealand Army project team to design, install and test New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) communications and digital systems ahead of the construction of the new vehicle fleet. Once the communications design and testing phase is finished, the vehicle will be used for operator training and operational release tasks.
“This vehicle is the first VAMTAC ST5 Medium variant to be built by UROVESA for the Ministry of Defence, as part of a project to replace the NZDF’s most frequently deployed operational vehicle fleet. The construction and testing of this vehicle prototype is a significant milestone for the project team, who are working to deliver 60 new VAMTAC ST5 Light and CK3 Medium-sized utility vehicles, as part of tranche one of the project. UROVESA vehicles are known for their versatile, efficient and robust design. They are already used by more than 20 countries, including Singapore and a number of NATO member nations.,” Sarah Minson, Deputy Secretary, Capability Delivery said.
The VAMTAC vehicles will, like their predecessors the Unimog and Pinzgauer, be used to transport personnel and equipment during security and stability operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions, and search and rescue deployments. The new VAMTAC fleet will be equipped to drive safely while off-road in challenging conditions, with high ground clearance using 4×4 drive and inter-axle and inter-wheel differential locks. The medium sized vehicle will have a maximum speed of 110 kilometres an hour with a high torque Cummins 6.7 litre turbocharged and intercooled engines. The new fleet’s off-road mobility will be further enhanced by the vehicle’s central tyre inflation system, which allows the driver to select and adjust the tyre pressure from within the cab.
The URO VAMTAC (Vehículo de Alta Movilidad Táctico, “High Mobility Tactical Vehicle”) is a Spanish four-wheel drive military vehicle manufactured by UROVESA. Externally it is similar in appearance and design to the Humvee of the United States Military due to similar requirements. More than 2,000 of the vehicles have been delivered to the Spanish Armed Forces. Several other countries operate the VAMTAC as well, and it has seen in service most recently in Afghanistan and Syria. The vehicle comes in three models, named I3, S3 and ST5, and has several configurations.
