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

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