An exercise designed to assess 1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment operating as a motorised battalion group is being held in the lower North Island throughout November.
Silver Warrior involves 800 personnel, 250 vehicles - including 51 NZ Light Armoured Vehicles - and No.3 Squadron, is also taking part with Iroquois helicopters. The Army must be prepared to operate in a complex threat environment, having the ability to help with the delivery of humanitarian aid, peacekeeping, and combat, simultaneously.
The exercise will evaluate the battle group in a complex operation,involving distinctly different scenarios. The concept for Silver Warrior is based on a number of real conflict situations currently occurring in various parts of the world.
The New Zealand Army plans to have a motorised battalion group, combining infantry and armoured combat soldiers working together with engineers, artillery, logistics and health support personnel, at its peak by the end of this year. The initial stages of the exercise will take part in Waiouru, when the battle group will conduct live firing by day and night. The major part of the exercise is in Taranaki, Wanganui and Manawatu.
Evaluation: A NZ Light Armoured Vehicle in Waiouru tussock.