NZDF BUYS NEW FIREARMS

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) military personnel are to be issued with new generation Glock 17 pistols to replace the Sig Sauer pistols currently in use.

The new pistols will be introduced into service across the Navy, Army, and Air Force in the second half of 2016.

Lieutenant Colonel Dean Paul of the Land Capability Delivery Branch said the Sig Sauer P226 pistols were introduced into service in 1992 and were due to be replaced.

“Ensuring we remain a force equipped to succeed means supplying our people with fit-for-purpose personal protection weapons. This is part of our 2020 strategy for enhanced combat capability and we are pleased to be rolling out the new pistols next year,’’ Lieutenant Colonel Paul said.

Australian company NIOA Nominees Pty Ltd has been awarded the $1.8 million contract to supply the NZDF with about 1900 of the new pistols. The contract includes the pistols, ancillaries, and through-life support.

The new pistol purchase comes hot on the heals of an announcement that the Steyr is being dropped in favour of a possible AR15-derived rifle.

US small arms manufacturer Lewis Machine & Tool Co was officially named the preferred tenderer in the New Zealand Defence Force’s Individual Weapon Replacement programme – though the announcement didn’t indicate an exact model.