New Zealand Army personnel test a small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at Waiouru Military Camp, located in central North Island. (NZDF)
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has procured small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remote ground sensor (RGS) systems to enhance its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
These systems will improve the NZDF's capability to conduct ISR operations in difficult-to-access environments, including combat zones and cyclone-damaged regions, the New Zealand Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 12 December.
The MoD said it expects these systems to augment the NZDF's situational awareness beyond line of sight.
The MoD's Deputy Secretary of Capability Delivery, Sarah Minson, said the UAVs and the RGSs will be used by the New Zealand Army in security operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), and search-and-rescue (SAR) missions.
Minson added, “The remotely operated systems are expected to reduce the risk to soldiers operating in challenging environments by providing timely and accurate information that enhances risk assessments and decision-making in the field.”
The NZDF has acquired three types of small UAVs, including German company Quantum Systems' Vector unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for the 16th Field Regiment, the Skydio quadcopter from EPE New Zealand Ltd, and the Black Hornet UAS from Australian company Criterion Solutions Pty for the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, the MoD said.
EPE New Zealand has also delivered the Bertin Exensor Flexnet RGS systems to the NZDF, the MoD added.
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