Roads too bad for our LAVs

[corsair67]

This is what the NZ Army really needs to flatten out those dodgy roads in Afghanistan:




ADF Official photo.

[Kenny]

Our budget would run what, one of those? ;D

T72 All the way

[vgp]

and you could employ Matthew Ridge to drive it.

[corsair67]

Ridge's head would be about as thick as the armour on an M1A1, wouldn't it. ;D

[vgp]

I wouldn't be surprised if it was - the series they have on TV here the last tank he got into he backed over the owners son's car - was one of the funniest things that had been on TV at the time.(not for the owner or his son thou at the time)

[corsair67]

Too many "ekkies" the night before?

[30sqnatc]

I think the threat situation is the Solomons and East Timor is quite different to Afghanistan Paul.

Totally agee that is exactly the point I was making - horses for courses.

I find it incredibly ironic that neither of the armoured vehicle types selected by the NZ Army are deployed in Afghanistan because they are "unsuitable". Instead we lease armoured Hummers from the US (which surely just make us a bigger target)?? Why do we do that when we have spend millions on Pinzgauers - are they also the wrong vehicle for Afghanistan?

If we refer back to the Ministers original statement at www.beehive.govt.nz/node/17264 we inherited the vehicles that were already there.

We have far too many LAVs without a doubt. Not only was the initial capital outlay for them huge but the ongoing maintenance and depreciation costs over their life is going to be similarly large. Money is wasted on them (including all the "spare" ones in storage and U/S) while our troops in Afghanistan drive around in leased Hummers and Hiluxes... as a taxpayer I find that a little odd!

Funny how two can see the situation so different. I think makes perfect sense and best use the taxpayers money that we hire/lease/beg/steal vehicles that are already there rather than the additional cost of moving vehicles from NZ and establishing supply lines to support them not to mention the additional mechanics etc who would be required. Much easier taking them to the existing US service station.

The LAV's and Pinzgauers were purchased to equip the Army and Air Force for war fighting not reconstuction so if they are not needed why use them? Having said that I acknowledge the situation in Barmian Province could change for the worst at any time then the Hercs and Boeings (with nice new side doors) should come sweeping down loaded with warfighting vehicles ;D