New UAVs for New Zealand delayed
The Puma UAV appears to have been selected for the NZDF's LW UAS project, but an official order is yet to be lodged due to COVID-19. (AeroVironment)
The wider impact of COVID-19 on the NZDF becomes more apparent as the introduction of new equipment is pushed back
The planned procurement of a new remotely piloted air system for the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) has been put on hold.
The RNZN’s Littoral Warfare Unit, named HMNZS Matataua, is set to get new Pumas from AeroVironment under the Littoral Warfare Uncrewed Aerial System (LW UAS) project. However, a New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) spokesperson told Shephard that the LW UAS project ‘has been delayed due to the organisational impact of COVID-19.’
He added this is ‘predominantly around Operation Protect duties,’ where about 10% of NZDF personnel have been allocated tasks to support the Managed Isolation and Quarantine system
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