The Garrison and Training Support vehicle fleet underpins the day-to-day operations of the New Zealand Defence Force and is made up of trucks, vans, minibuses, aviation refuellers, ambulances and fire trucks.
The fleet is used to transport people and equipment to training areas and within and between camps and bases. It is also used to support firefighting, search and rescue missions, and medical responses.
A number of the vehicles need to be replaced due to age and obsolescence issues. The project to replace the vehicles has been split into two phases.
Phase One - has replaced 37 NZDF specialist domestic operational and training support vehicles. These vehicles increase operational safety and efficiency, and reduce maintenance costs. The introduction into service of the vehicle types has been progressing, with operational release expected to take place in the 2025/26 financial year.
They include:
- Airfield Response Vehicles: Two vehicles have been procured through Oshkosh Airport Products USA.
- Domestic Fire Appliances: Six appliances have been procured through Lower Hutt based company, Fraser Engineering Ltd (NZ).
- Medical Response Vehicle: 12 vehicles have been procured through Hamilton based company, Action Manufacturing. A training simulator has also been acquired. Interim Operational Release was achieved in June 2022.
- Rural Fire Appliances: 11 fire appliances have been procured through Volvo (Australia).
- Mobile Bulk Aviation Refuellers: Six refueller vehicles have been delivered by Holmwood Highgate Australia.
Phase Two - is replacing domestic vehicles in the fleet across multiple phases and investments, including trucks, vans, minibuses and emergency vehicles.
On 24 June 2025 a request for proposals was issued to industry to replace the ageing Mercedes Benz Unimog trucks. The information gathered will inform a Project Implementation Business Case for Government consideration.
On 08 October 2026 Defence announced that 121 domestic support vehicles would be procured for the New Zealand Defence Force, including 61 Daimler Unimog U5023 trucks, 24 Mitsubishi Triton utility vehicles and 36 Ford Tourneo Sport Buses.
Read more here.
Contracts
Contracts
Domestic Support Vehicles
In October 2026, contracts were awarded to: Mitsubishi New Zealand for 24 Triton utility vehicles; Daimler for 61 Unimog U5023 medium trucks; and Ford New Zealand for 36 Tourneo Sport Buses.
Airfield Response Appliances (ARA)
In November 2020, a contract was awarded to Oshkosh Airport Products, USA for two ARAs (of the total fleet of eight).
Domestic Fire Appliances (DFA)
The Project is working with Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) for the acquisition of six new Type 3 appliances. Under the arrangement with FENZ, maintenance of the NZDF fleet will be managed by FENZ.
Medical Response Vehicles (MRV)
In May 2020, a contract was awarded to Hamilton-based Action Manufacturing for a fleet of six MRVs, which was later increased to 12. These are based on the Iveco Daily 4x4 and replace the 30 year old Unimog-based medical vehicles.
Mobile Bulk Aviation Fuelling Capability (MBAFC)
In August 2020 a contract was awarded to Holmwood Highgate (Australia) for a fleet of six MBAFCs, based on the Volvo FMX cab/chassis with a 40,000 litre fuel capacity (13,000 litres in the truck tank and 27,000 in the trailer).
Rural Fire Appliances (RFA)
In December 2020, a contract was awarded to Volvo Group Australia for a fleet of 11 RFAs based on the Volvo FL280 dual cab as the Primemover truck. Wellington based Fraser Engineering Ltd, will undertake the design and engineering work including the integration of the existing New Zealand Defence Force demountable fire pod.
