Nighthawk.NZ thoughts on the article.
Points I noted in this article ;
- "Early reports indicate Type 26 fits RNZN’s specifications “like a glove”, a naval architect tells our correspondent."
The Type 26 frigate appears to be a capable frigate and would suit and meet the RNZN requirements which are set by the NZG. I would love to see them in the RNZN, but my concern is they are expensive for what they are. However, we really need at least 4.
- "Both ships are ageing and, according to experienced officers, have had to be driven hard – notably in the Gulf – with only two frigates in the fleet."
To me, this is a perfect argument of going back to a four frigate navy, or at least in the short term a 3rd. If you have to drive and run your equipment whether it is an aircraft or frigate, or vehicle so hard that they start to become unreliable, more expensive to run, and hopefully it never happens, loose of life... then upfront we should have bought our 4 frigates and stayed a 4 frigate navy.
The 2 frigates are still being overworked, even with Project Protector and the OPV's taking some of their duties. You can not replace the duties of a frigate with an even more lightly armed OPV. Whilst the OPV's have served well and do their duties, they are tasked for with patrolling our EEZ and fishery patrols, however, the two frigates have then been tasked with more securing the shipping lanes as well as patrolling our EEZ...
The current situation of both Frigates being in refit, in Canada is a telling tale that at least a third (preferably 4) frigate hulls is required, to meet the requirements set out by the government. At present they can not.
