Who are the radios for?
- The New Zealand Army and for the Royal New Zealand Air Force ground support operations.
How many radios are being purchased?
- A total of 1853.
- 786 - Very High Frequency (VHF) manpacks/vehicle mounts;
- 361 - High Frequency (HF) manpacks/vehicle mounts;
- 51 - Tactical multiband manpacks/vehicle mounts;
- 655 - Hand Held Portable radios.
What is the projected cost?
- NZ$124.765 million (GST inclusive).
How old is the current equipment?
- 1960s and 1970s vintage
- The radios are obsolete and unreliable.
Why purchase these radios?
- These radios are tried and tested, proven in-service equipment.
- The US undertakes the risk in relation to integration of encryption modules with the radios.
Why did we not purchase the radios used by Australia?
- In the 1980s Australia commenced 3 projects to replace its 1960/70s vintage radios.
- Two of those three projects were based on analogue technologies and all use an out-moded system of frequency hopping. Analogue is unsuitable for data or image transmission.
- Australia is to examine its options in 4-6 years time, and it is then likely they will be seeking similar digital technology to us.
Are we still going to be interoperable with Australia?
- Yes, interoperability with Australia can be maintained.
When will the new communications equipment be in service?
