MARITIME
For the Navy the ANZAC frigates are currently in their final stages of upgrades over in Canada. HMNZS Te Kaha is due back later this year and Te Mana next year. While Te Kaka has taken a lot longer than expected it was a very very complex upgrade.
The upgrades including the new CAMM air defence missile system (ADMS), new radars and senors from the Smart-S Mk2 3D radar, infrared surveillance and laser warning, upgraded data link and IFF, to the new decoys and defensive Sea Senator Torpedo detection and decoy system, Floating missile decoy, Rheinmetall - Multi Ammunition Softkill System and finally tying it altogether new Ops room and the Lockheed Martain CMS330.
The one thing that lets all this down is there is still no medium to long-range ship launched ASM or Anti Ship Missile. Even if it was the latest block release RGM-84 Harpoon ASM. Even though it is older it would give the frigates the capability to at least to go on the offensive. Or get on the program with some of the newer ASM that are coming on line.
Currently, the frigates can only fire the AGM-119 Mk 2 Mod 7 Penguin Missile launched from SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite no ship bourne launched missile. CAMM can be used in surface mode for smaller faster targets.
And to be fair arming 2 frigates and having spare missiles in stock would not cost that much, and would again show our allies yes we are a small navy but we are willing to go on the offensive to defend our freedoms and areas of influence.
Even when we get the frigates back in around 2024 the communications equipment will get an upgrade. We already have industry engagement and a request for tender in 2019
The new polar class AOR Tanker HMNZS Aotearoa is a force multiplier as she can keep our frigates and our allied ships at sea for longer, supplying fuel, food, and spare parts even possible ammunition. And one of her main advantages is being able to supply McMurdo and Scott Bases.
HMNZS Manawanui III our new DHV also has new capabilities, for diving and recovery operations as she a littoral hydrographic and diving support vessel. From her compression chamber, moon pool, wet diving bell, to her station keeping abilities, and large 100-ton crane for recovery operations.
These vessels and equipment a mostly in operation, I say mostly due to the frigates as time of writing are not quiet operational or completed as of yet. This is where we get into the future equipment with two new vessels in the next 8 or 9 years.
The new Southern Ocean Patrol vessel a purpose-built patrol vessel that is designed to go into the southern ocean and the Ross sea. She will have an ice belt, but whether it will be a heavier grade that our current OPV’s is unknown. Personally I would like to see them to be able to tackle a bit more than Polar Class-6 which is the current OPV’s and HMNZS Aotearoa. Maybe up it to PC-5 or PC-4.
The SOPV will be built to commercial standards is still going to be a force multiplier, have a dedicated vessel that can patrol the Ross Sea in 90% of any weather it can through at the vessel is more than we can achieve now. The current OPV’s have proven their worth but are limited.
I can’t see the SOPV being heavily armed and would most likely be similar to what the current OPV’s have 25mm auto typhoon gun and a couple 50 cal HMG. But I would like to see one improvement and that is for the hanger to have a proper weapons storage magazine to be able to arm the helo with any of the weapons it can carry, just in case, it can then be used in other operations and missions.
Our current OPV’s don’t have this. Though it is possible in theory to use an armoury grade container on the stern (the OPV’s can carry x4 20 foot containers) and use the crane to bring any weapons ie; penguin missile and or torpedo to the flight deck.
The issue here then becomes the sensors, the OPV’s don’t really have the appropriate sensors for this kind of operation. So the SOPV would need a better suite of sensors. From memory the budget for this vessel is the range of 300-600 million and to be in service around 2027
Now for the big decisions the enhanced 2nd sea lift vessel. I have written few articles on this subject in the past.
- Options for the NZDF and RNZN 2nd enhanced Sealift vessel
- Why do I think the Endurance 170 LHD is a good choice for the RNZN.
- How much for an enhanced sealift vessel?
- Other LHD operations
However I am going to say what I believe we should get and what we will actually get are 2 totally different things. And even though I believe we can afford it according the given budget it will most likely be a vessel like Canterbury with a well dock nothing more.
The problem here is politicians that do not have the guts or will power to stand up and get the decent equipment we need.
The vessel either which way will be much larger than HMNZS Canterbury if it is to meet all the requirements of the DCP 2019.
“It will also support the same or a greater number of embarked helicopters as HMNZS Canterbury”
This is where the crunch happens if it s going to be the same number of helos as Canterbury ie; 3 NH-90 and 1 SeaSprite then a LPD with a decent hanger and flight deck will work.
If however they choose to want a greater number of Helos to be operated at once, then you start looking at the small LHD with the through flight deck operation.
With Indicative capital cost of more than $1b is a large wade of cash. Remember our Ice strengthen Polar Class Tanker with features that the LPD or LHD won’t have cost 500 million.
And I still argue that the 1 billion plus is for one vessel, given that the DCP states;
Additional Enhanced Sealift Capability
203. HMNZS Canterbury will be replaced in the mid-2030s, at the end of its service life. The capability acquired will be determined during the business case process, but will improve the Defence Force’s sealift capability at the time HMNZS Canterbury is retired, complementing the enhanced sealift vessel procured in the late 2020s. Options will be explored against the composition of the fleet, the wider Defence Force and the prevailing strategic environment.
Page 13 Point 69-71.
69. Recognising the high value of sealift to humanitarian and disaster relief, and the sustainment of deployed forces, in the mid-2020s an additional sealift vessel will be acquired. Operating alongside HMNZS Canterbury, this acquisition will provide two sealift vessels, and will greatly improve the effectiveness of the Defence Force, and the resilience of the nation, and the region.
70. The enhanced sealift vessel will have greater lift capacity than HMNZS Canterbury. The capability will provide a highly flexible military asset, including hospital facilities, planning spaces, and self-defence capabilities. It will also provide support for the deployment of a range of capabilities, including Special Forces, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and NH90 helicopters. The enhanced sealift capability will also improve the New Zealand Defence Force’s amphibious operations. Through the provision of a well dock, it will be able to conduct operations in a wider range of sea conditions, and will have the size and capacity to carry large equipment, and sufficient aviation capacity to allow extended, long duration operations. Its size will also provide for the transport of a larger number of personnel, allowing for the value of the increased size of the New Zealand Army to be realised.
71. Collectively, these enhancements will significantly increase our ability to respond to humanitarian and security events in the Pacific region. While a future project will determine detailed requirements for this capability, a Landing Platform Dock is an example of the type of vessel that will be considered.
Basically explains what capabilities they are wanting for the new enhanced sealift vessel. Basically saying bigger better than HMNZS Canterbury.
Page 13 Point 72.
72. Following 2030, HMNZS Canterbury will be withdrawn from service. At this time an investment will be made to further improve the Defence Force’s sealift capability with an additional vessel. Options will be explored against the composition of the fleet, the wider Defence Force and the prevailing strategic environment.
Another words the replacement vessel for HMNZS Canterbury is not even on the books nor part of the DCP 2019 and it’s 20 billion dollar spend up.
So my point is 1billion plus is a lot of money for a vessel. So I hope they do it right and get a proper LPD that fully meets the changing requirements of the NZDF or dare I say a small LHD.
