Army Reaches For The Sky With New Capability
The New Zealand Army will take possession of the technologically advanced Very Low Level Air Defence Alert and Cueing
System (VACS) in a small ceremony at Linton Military Camp on Tuesday 2 October.
The VACS provides early warning of approaching aircraft with the inbuilt capacity to identify “friend or foe”. Combined
with the Mistral Air Defence system currently in service with the New Zealand Army’s 16 Field (Artillery) Regiment, the
VACS vastly improves the effectiveness of the weapon and increases the Army’s ability to protect its personnel and
equipment.
The Chief of Army, Major General Lou Gardiner, says: “Army’s ability to protect itself has taken a significant leap
forward with the arrival of the VACS. We can now more effectively monitor the air space and react appropriately to any
threat, providing a far greater level of security for our forces than ever before. The VACS furthers our position as a
technologically advanced Army”.
The Army will receive the VACS in a ceremony attended by the Acting Secretary of Defence Chris Seed, members of the
Ministry of Defence project team and representatives of the Spanish company Indra, who developed and manufacture the
VACS.
Details of Ceremony:
When: 2.00pm Tuesday 2 October
Where: Linton Military Camp, Palmerston North
What: Presentations by the Secretary of Defence, the Commanding officer of 16 Field Regiment and representatives of the
Spanish company Indra who produce VACS. A certificate will be signed accepting the VACS into service'
ENDS