New Zealand officially receives HX44Ms
One of the three new 8x8 heavy recovery vehicles for the NZDF. (Photo: Rheinmetall)
The addition of three 8x8 heavy recovery vehicles brings to 197 the number of Rheinmetall-supplied HX vehicles for the NZDF.
Rheinmetall announced on 8 December that it handed over three HX44M 8x8 heavy recovery vehicles to the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) in a ceremony on 25 November.
The company is also providing initial training on the vehicle with the NZDF.
The HX44Ms were ordered in December 2018. According to Shephard Defence Insight, the NZDF had expected to receive them in 2020 to replace five ageing M1089A1R wreckers.
Gary Stewart, MD of Rheinmetall Defence Australia, said ‘this enhanced recovery capability’ complements 194 HX-series Medium and Heavy Operational Vehicles (MHOV) already in NZDF service for training, operations and HADR.
The HX 8x8 heavy recovery vehicles feature capabilities ‘specifically developed to meet the current and future operational needs of the NZDF’, Rheinmetall noted.
For example, the three new vehicles are the first in the world to use an Integrated Armoured Swap Cabin that allows easy configuration to suit operational needs.
Each HX44M is 2.55m wide and can traverse 1.4m-wide ditches or cross flooded areas 1.5m deep, as well as scale 60° gradients and 30° side slopes. The vehicle can also function in extreme temperatures, ranging from -32°C to 49°C.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![AUSA 2025: AM General Hawkeye awaits first production contract]()
AUSA 2025: AM General Hawkeye awaits first production contract
AM General presented its new Hawkeye at AUSA 2025 in Washington, with prototypes of the howitzer system having been trialled in Ukraine last year.
-
![AUSA 2025: Lionstrike lays out plans for British Army vehicle bid as competitors get ready]()
AUSA 2025: Lionstrike lays out plans for British Army vehicle bid as competitors get ready
In September 2025, BAE Systems announced that it was joining GM Defense and NP Aerospace to form Team Lionstrike. The team will be offering a version of GM Defense’s infantry support vehicle which is based on the commercial Colorado vehicle.
-
![AUSA 2025: KNDS France to bid for US Army requirement]()
AUSA 2025: KNDS France to bid for US Army requirement
The CAESAR Mk II, which was debuted internationally at Eurosatory last year, is a step up from the first model which has seen combat in Ukraine and the Middle East.
-
![AUSA 2025: IAI reveals robotic route clearance system]()
AUSA 2025: IAI reveals robotic route clearance system
The Elta 6631 has been developed using the experience of the Israel Defense Forces in route proving, and can be customised for various customers and circumstances.
-
![AUSA 2025: Boeing wins $2.7 billion PAC-3 production contract as it explores supply chain expansion]()
AUSA 2025: Boeing wins $2.7 billion PAC-3 production contract as it explores supply chain expansion
Boeing will work with prime contractor Lockheed Martin to boost PAC-3 production capacity to hit higher delivery targets, as demand for the interceptors continues to surge.
-
![AUSA 2025: AM General “on target” for JLTV full-rate production in 2026 as it uncrews a Humvee]()
AUSA 2025: AM General “on target” for JLTV full-rate production in 2026 as it uncrews a Humvee
AM General believes it has completed working with customers for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicles to reach a final version of the vehicle and to prepare to begin producing vehicles under full rate production.
