Very Low Level Air Defence (VLLAD)

Client: New Zealand Army

Description

The objective of this project is to procure an alerting and cueing system for the Mistral very low level air defence system (VLLADS) already in-service with the New Zealand Army. This cueing system is known as VLLADS Alerting and Cueing System (VACS).

The VACS is a system comprising radar, command post (with automated command and control), terminals at each Mistral launcher, and Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) at each launcher.

Government approval

In December 2003 the Government approved a project budget of NZ$13.7 million excluding GST.

Contract

A contract was signed in May 2004 with Indra (Spain) for the supply of one VACS complete with two radars, one command post, five weapon terminals, spares, manuals, and training. Delivery is completed.

A separate contract was signed with Thales (France) for the provision of IFF Interrogators to be mounted onto the Mistral launchers, one per launcher. These have been delivered.

Current status

All equipment has been delivered. All training has been completed. The systems have been delivered, accepted by the Ministry and handed over to the New Zealand Defence Force.

The project is addressing issues that have emerged during introduction into service. Additional finance of NZ$550k has been approved for:

additional identification Friend or Foe (IFF) accessories (ordered from Thales France, delivered February 2009)
communication systems testing (work in hand at Defence Technology Agency)
Unimog integration (work in hand, expected completion December 2009)
backpacks (completed June 2009)

The project will be closed once introduction into service is complete.

For further information see the New Zealand Army web site (www.army.mil.nz) or contact:

Acquisition Division
Ministry of Defence
PO Box 12703
Molesworth Street
Wellington 6144
New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 496 0678
Fax: +64 4 496 0859
Email: info@defence.govt.nz