Officially
named JCB High Mobility Engineering Excavators, or HMEEs,
they are designed to operate with and support a deployment
of armoured vehicles - clearing roads and removing obstacles.
The Combat Tractor will allow NZ Army Engineers to operate
alongside the NZ LAV in areas that pose a greater risk
to deployed personnel. It offers substantially greater
protection and mobility than a normal JCB, and can travel
up to 90 km/h over cross country terrain.
Lieutenant
Colonel Rian McKinstry said the new tractors will allow
operators to be protected from enemy fire, while clearing
routes, building fortifications, or doing road works in
dangerous areas.
The
army has bought six of the vehicles, at a cost of $4.7
million. The cost included spare parts.
