Power Projection
The vessel would be a huge asset the NZG for a small force or power projection a capability that New Zealand has never really had without the help of our allies.
From the first Fiji coupe to Bougainville and East Timor taught us that New Zealand needed to have some sort of force projection capability. As early as 1988 the Royal New Zealand Navy had identified the need for some form of sealift in the South Pacific. This led to the commissioning of HMNZS Charles Upham In 1995. But the subsequent failure of successive governments to fund the required refits resulted in Charles Upham being sold in 2001. HMNZS Charles Upham, was a major screw up, however, this led to HMNZS Canterbury and project protector.
It is not a matter of if, but a matter of when, a situation like East Timor happens again in our sphere of influence. The Endurance would give the NZDF and the NZG options and capabilities they have never had before.
One of the problems with Canterbury is she has no well-dock and was never designed for force projection as such. She is most definitely not designed or intended to enter combat, or conduct opposed landings under fire. However, in many of the exercises she is in, this is exactly what she is doing. So why not get a vessel that can do it properly that was designed to do this kind of operation? It is not a matter of if, but a matter of when, a situation like East Timor happens again in our sphere of influence. The Endurance would give the NZDF and the NZG options and capabilities they have never had before to deal with any problems that require the armed forces to be projected.
One also has to remember Force Projection does not just mean an armed mobile forced to take on an enemy that are shooting back. Force Projection also means in the realm of HADR that the vessel can project aid in the same way. But, has the capability to do both as the circumstances require.
With DCP 2019 stating they want to increase the army up to a regular force of 6000 and the army now conducting more amphibious operations with Canterbury and the Australian LHD's, as well as with the US LHD's during RIMPAC, They are practising force projection, Canterbury can do this but it is very very limited, she has done this a few times in exercises like Exercise Southern Katipo. However, simply put she can only land a very small force of 250 troops and equipment. It would take Canterbury 3 or 4 trips to land a battalion. This means she is leaving the area and not supporting the ground troops. Where the Endurance 2 trips, and if there were two, (2nd one replacing Canterbury) the 2 vessels could land and support a full battalion in the one trip each.
Endurance 160 design which the 170 evolved from.
New Zealand would probably never do this kind of operation alone it would most likely be with our neighbour Australia, who operate 2 LHD's, and one LPD. If the RNZN had even one Endurance class vessel it would immensely help, and with a second replace HMNZS Canterbury it would give the NZG the various options capabilities they have never had before. Given that we have our new tanker AOR HMNZS Aotearoa coming online in the next year or so, plus frigates, from both Australia & New Zealand, The ANZAC projection force would be quite a sizable and formidable force.
This vessel would also be able to handle any vehicle or equipment and or helo our allies have and would be in-valuable in any projection fleet or force anywhere in the world. It would help show the rest of the world but mainly our allies that we are serious about the security of our sphere of influence. The Vessel would be able to help our allies in the time of need and giving the RNZN and the NZDF in general, the ability to move a lot of supplies, troops and equipment.
New Zealand has no offensive power and "The Five Powers Defence Arrangement" FPDA which we are a part of, they are noticing.
The ship would have the command systems, radar and communications and space for a forward command centre or command platform to respond to any situation and or operation needed by the New Zealand Government.
Having a "well dock", the vessel will be able to operate in a higher sea state than HMNZS Canterbury can with her rear ramp and paddle locking system for the LCM's. She will also operate 4 LCM's compared to HMNZS Canterbury's 2. This means she can deploy any of the vehicles she is carrying quickly and with the 5 helo spots can deploy the carried troops very quickly.
The Endurance 170 appears to be a very capable vessel, that will most definitely meet the requirements of the DCP 2019 as well is room for future-proofing any unseen requirements required by any Government. Very few countries can project power, but that number is growing and growing quickly.
- Ship to Shore : Amphibious Support Ships in The The Asia-Pacific Region
- How much for an enhanced sealift vessel?
- Other LHD operations
- Sense of scale
With the Draft of 6.6m, the LHD will be able to visit most of New Zealand's major ports, from Bluff, Port Chalmers Dunedin and 2 of the upper harbour berths, Timaru, Lyttleton, Nelson, Wellington, Napier, (possibly Gisborne), Tauranga, Auckland, Whangarei, New Plymouth and she can happily visit smaller communities and deep sheltered bays and use her landing craft as ferries for crew and visitors.
New Zealand has no offensive power and "The Five Powers Defence Arrangement" FPDA which we are a part of, they are noticing. The Future of the Five Power Defense Arrangements. The Endurance 170 will give New Zealand a form of offensive power by enabling the NZDF to have force projection. And if the vessel is armed properly even with what is suggested she will have have an offensive capability as well as power projection.
Let's just admit it China a growing regional power that is starting to push her way into our area's including the Pacific, and everyone is noticing this. China on the move...
One hopes for the best, but plans for the worst just like with the purchase of the P-8A Poseidens having the option to arm them to meet a threat but hopes they don't have to use this ability in anger, (Skyhawks anyone???) having the LHA/LHD, is in the same boat (excuse the pun) would be perfect for all the HADR but has the ability to project that military power if it had to or the need arises.
Overal having the Endurance 170 (or an evolved version of it) would be an excellent foreign policy choice.
So why would a "defence force" need power projection?
As a defence force, you need the ability to go on the offensive to defend our area of influence. The NZDF needs the ability to repel any aggressive manoeuvres and we don't really have this. Again as stated we don't have any offensive capabilities as such. So militarily wise, if we were attacked and the LHD/LHA survived the initial attacks say she was out on exercise somewhere, then she has the ability to project her forces to go on the offence to defend our country. To plan, organise and start any counter-attack if much of our infrastructure had been destroyed in initial attacks. (But let me point out the likelihood of this scenario actually happening, as in a direct attack is very low, but not impossible)
As already stated force projection does not always mean armed conflict. In a HADR situation having the major sealift and helo operations in a natural disaster-affected area is a huge asset for assistance and help with the path to recovery, as has been proved by HMNZS Canterbury on a number occasions.
Would not be seen as bludgers of the South Pacific.
The New Zealand government has seen how useful a military sealift ship can be, for both HADR and moving troops and equipment for both civil and military uses. They have known this since the first Fiji Coupe back in 1986 when they first discovered that we don't have that capability. They have had two attempts at it, with the first attempt an absolute disaster with HMNZS Charles Upham, and the second attempt HMNZS Canterbury having a rough start, and moderate success, but with limitations. Let's get it right this time.
A vessel with the capability of the Endurance 170 would greatly improve our status with our allies and we would not need to continuously "bludge" (I do hate this term but here we are) to get things transported, and while I do admit since has HMNZS Canterbury this has been less. I had this same argument with the possibility of the Royal New Zealand Air Force getting the C-17. Canterbury alone has enabled the NZDF to contribute a semi-sized force and equipment to exercises like "Talisman Sabre". So having the extra capability of a true LHA/LHD she would be the perfect upgrade to this.
She would be perfect as Command and flagship of the RNZN adding more to the scenario and response possibilities to the overall exercise or operation. With the help of HMNZS Aotearoa, she could stay on station for longer periods of time receiving fuel and dry goods and stores, including ammunition from the AOR, with this ability she would be a valuable asset that can help our allies and be an invaluable asset to the NZDF and NZG.
Morale
Having such a vessel would actually give a boost to the morale amongst armed forces, the sailors and airman that would serve on her and the soldiers that would disembark, knowing they finally have equipment that can meet a multitude of threats. Knowing they have a better chance of achieving the objective that was laid out too them. While morale not high on the list of reasons, (I originally was not even going to mention it) Having a vessel of this magnitude (whilst still being comparatively small) would make many of the troops proud. When the vessel is at berth, a sense of pride would be there. Even though they don't say it, you see it with the Australians and the Canberra Class LHD's, you see it their eyes, from the troops to the sailors and airman.
Having a vessel likes this would help with retention rates and recruitment. If I was younger and joining up I would be asking what branch do I need be to serve on her... that is where I want to be, and I am sure it would be for other young recruits as well.
- Defence Force morale at all-time low
- Troops slam senior leaders as Army ranks worst in Defence Force job survey
- How much for an enhanced sealift vessel?
- Change fatigue' in Defence Force
Pride and morale go a long way to having a good defence force. When New Zealand keeps making cut-backs and more cut-backs, and even more cut-backs it does lower morale, and when the New Zealand Government asked for even more cut-backs and the NZDF had to do the culling... it truly gutted the entire NZDF morale.
When equipment gets old and nearly unusable, it hurts morale, and when new equipment finally does comes online and it is not what you asked for and not up to the task... it hurts more than just morale. If we had the Endurance 170 in our fleet these vessels would become the pride of the Royal New Zealand Navy and over a short period of time the New Zealand people will have pride in these vessels even probably the "neigh sayers". Can you honestly say that about HMNZS Canterbury... no, and while we appreciate it and have great pride for the crew, not so much the actual ship itself it's a ferry and not really up to the full task she was asked to perform... sad but true.
Training
We would be able to cross-train with the Australians and USN on their LHD's and learn from their experience for the flight operations and many other operations of operating a Landing Helicopter Dock. As well as continue with Canterbury (until replaced) to fully enhance our amphibious operations. If the army so desired have a small marine corp battalion and that is what they specialise in.
Value for money
When you see Australia, who has had the capability to deploy and force projection, whilst it was limited in the past with ships like HMAS Tobruk (L50), HMAS Manoora (L 52) and HMAS Kanimbla (L 51) replace their ageing fleet with a modern LHD's and a LSL it tells you the benefit of having that capability out ways the cost.
This is one of the vessels in any navy that you if get built to a high standard, looked after properly and have system upgrades and maintained properly etc, could keep running for 40 years instead of the standard 25-30 years. HMS Queen Elizabeth is designed to last 50 years. Technically making it cheaper than a frigate.
