The Government has approved a $59.915 million investment to replace a significant portion of the ageing Garrison and Training Support vehicle fleet at camps and bases across New Zealand.

"In an increasingly challenging domestic environment, with more frequent and severe weather events, it is critical we equip the NZDF personnel deployed on challenging humanitarian and disaster relief missions with vehicles that are reliable, fit-for-purpose and safe," Sarah Minson, Deputy Secretary, Capability Delivery, said.

The new fleet will be made up of 61 Daimler Unimog trucks, 24 Mitsubishi Triton utility vehicles and 36 Ford Tourneo Sport Buses. The delivery of these commercial off-the-shelf vehicles will commence, in phases, from later this year.

"For decades the domestic support vehicle fleet has been the backbone of daily Defence operations, ensuring personnel are always trained, equipped and ready to respond to national emergencies like flooding or earthquakes. But with the Unimog trucks now more than 40 years old, the fleet is becoming increasingly unreliable, and its replacement is now well overdue".

Defence is procuring the utility vehicles, minibuses and communications equipment from New Zealand-based businesses and the Unimog trucks from Europe. The maintenance of all vehicles will be contracted to local companies.

"Not only will this new fleet shore-up NZDF operations in the regions, it will also make a contribution to New Zealand's economy and free up time for maintenance personnel to conduct other core military activities," Sarah Minson said.