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The New Zealand Army's recovery and mobility capability has been reinforced by the delivery of new Rheinmetall-built platforms.
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Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles has officially handed over three HX 8x8 heavy recovery vehicles to the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) during a ceremony at the Trentham Military Camp in Wellington, New Zealand.
The handover ceremony was attended by Colonel Ben Bagley, director of land domain for NZDF, who accepted the vehicles from Marty Roelofs, New Zealand manager at Rheinmetall.
The vehicles are expected to provide the New Zealand Army with enhanced recovery and mobility capabilities, developed to meet current and future operational requirements.
The 2.55-metre-wide platforms have been designed to support greater accessibility and operates in challenging terrains, capable of crossing ditches of 1.4 metres wide and crossing flooded areas of 1.5 metres in depth.
The vehicles can also scale gradients of up to 60 per cent and side slopes of 30 per cent.
The HX 8x8 heavy recovery vehicle is built to withstand harsh weather conditions, enduring cold conditions as low as -32 degrees and in warm temperature of up to 49 degrees.
Gary Stewart, managing director at Rheinmetall Defence Australia, welcomed the delivery of the vehicles to the NZDF, which he said reflected the company’s commitment to the region.
“The HX 8x8 heavy recovery vehicle is another example of our commitment to providing sustainable design, development and manufacturing that delivers world leading products and services to the NZDF,” he said.
“Delivery of this enhanced recovery capability, complementing the already delivered Medium-heavy Operational Vehicles fleet, in the midst of global COVID challenges is a testament to the relationship between Rheinmetall and the NZDF.”
[Related: German Bundeswehr orders Rheinmetall AGDUS training systems]
