New Zealand issues RFP to equip Bushmasters with communications system…

The New Zealand Army's new Bushmaster vehicles at the Trentham Military Camp located in Upper Hutt near Wellington. The New Zealand MoD has issued request for proposals (RFP) to install new communications and digital systems into the army's fleet of Bushmasters. (New Zealand Ministry of Defence)

The New Zealand Ministry of Defence (MoD) has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for services related to development and installation of communications and digital systems in the New Zealand Army's Bushmaster 4×4 Protected Mobility Vehicles.

“[These] systems will help to keep New Zealand Army personnel safe, with the latest technologies providing real-time digital maps, secure radios, and instant messaging,” Huntley Wright, assistant secretary Capability Delivery at the MoD, said on 28 September.

“They will advance a soldier's situational awareness, support their decision making, enable information collection, and improve secure communication between people and other vehicles,” Wright added.

He said that the new communications and digital systems will help to enhance interoperability with allies.

The RFP calls for a prime system integrator who can deliver and support the communications and digital systems, from design through to installation, troop training, and equipment disposal, the MoD said.

The MoD added that it is also procuring undisclosed systems for the Bushmasters under a separate contract. These systems will also be integrated into the Bushmasters by the selected prime system integrator.

New Zealand's Minister of Defence, Andrew Little, told Janes in June that the New Zealand Army had procured undisclosed communications systems for the Bushmasters under the MoD's Network Enabled Army (NEA) programme.

Through the NEA programme, the MoD plans to acquire a deployable, networked command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) capability for the New Zealand Army.