New Army vehicles will cost tens of millions

The Army will get 308 new light vehicles after the Government approved their purchase in principle this week.

The vehicles will replace the Army's ageing fleet of Land-Rovers.

The bill is expected to run into tens of millions of dollars.

Defence Minister Mark Burton said expressions of interest would be invited from interested parties before Christmas.

Steps had been taken to avoid a repeat of the problems encountered in an earlier, unsuccessful tender process.

"A United Kingdom consultancy company has independently assessed the New Zealand Defence Force requirement," Mr Burton said.

"Lessons have also been learned from the cancelled tender, which failed to identify a compliant vehicle."

A resulting statement of requirements for the vehicles was now less confusing and easier to respond to.

The British consultants would be involved throughout the evaluation process and outside legal and financial advice would also be sought.

Mr Burton said upgrading the Army's mobility and communications capabilities was identified as a priority in the Government's defence policy framework.

New armoured personnel carriers and radios had already been approved, with delivery of the radios to begin early next year.

- NZPA