New Zealand Defence Force Welcomes HX 8×8 Heavy Recovery Vehicles from Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles
Rheinmetall is thrilled to declare the formal transfer of three HX 8×8 Heavy Recovery Vehicles to the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) during an official event on November 25th, 2021, at the Trentham Military Camp in Wellington, New Zealand.
Colonel Ben Bagley, the Director of Land Domain for NZDF, participated in the ceremony to receive the vehicles from Marty Roelofs, the New Zealand Manager at Rheinmetall.
Mr. Gary Stewart, Managing Director of Rheinmetall Defence Australia, had intended to be present at this ceremony to underscore its significance; however, he faced obstacles due to COVID travel restrictions.
“While it is quite disappointing not to be in New Zealand for this significant occasion celebrating the collaborative accomplishment of the handover of the HX 8×8 Heavy Recovery Vehicles, we are still immensely proud of this landmark,” Mr. Stewart remarked.
“The HX 8×8 Heavy Recovery Vehicle exemplifies our dedication to delivering sustainable design, development, and manufacturing that produces industry-leading products and services for the NZDF.”
“The provision of this advanced recovery capability, complementing the existing Medium-heavy Operational Vehicles fleet amidst global challenges from COVID, reflects the strong partnership between Rheinmetall and the NZDF.”
The successful receipt of the vehicles by the NZDF equips the New Zealand Army with vital new capabilities, as the HX 8×8 Heavy Recovery Vehicles offer enhanced recovery and mobility features specifically designed to fulfill both current and future operational requirements of the NZDF.
The acquisition of the HX 8×8 supplements the in-service medium and heavy operational vehicle fleet of the NZDF. The Medium-heavy Operational Vehicles (MHOV) fleet, provided by Rheinmetall, has already seen extensive use by the NZDF for training, operations, and disaster relief both domestically and abroad.
The HX 8×8 Heavy Recovery Vehicles delivered to the NZDF are the first globally to incorporate the Integrated Armoured Swap Cabin, facilitating easy configuration to meet operational demands. Rheinmetall will also furnish a specialized training team to deliver initial instruction on the vehicle in conjunction with the NZDF.
At merely 2.55 meters in width, the HX 8×8 Heavy Recovery Vehicle ensures enhanced accessibility and performs superbly in challenging terrains, with the ability to cross ditches up to 1.4 meters wide and flooded zones of 1.5 meters in depth, as well as navigate gradients of up to 60 percent and side slopes of 30 percent.
The HX 8×8 Heavy Recovery Vehicle is also capable of functioning in a variety of drastically different environments, handling frigid conditions as low as -32°C and scorching climates reaching up to 49°C.
