I have been reading many articles on the internet machine that are saying 1B+ is for both sealift vessels in the Defence Capability Plan 2019 released Jun 2019. I have a tendency to disagree with that. But I could be wrong. So is the 1b+ NZD for one enhanced vessel or is it for two? Let's have a closer look. 

The way I read it, and let's be honest here I could be wrong, however everything points to saying that $1b or more dollars, is for the one single new enhanced sealift vessel and a separate acquisition and budget will be made for the replacement of HMNZS Canterbury closer to the time of the vessel retirement. 

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 Following 2030, HMNZS Canterbury will be withdrawn from service.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.

The sentence "At this time an investment will be made to further improve the Defence Force’s sealift capability with an additional vessel." is basically saying a further investment or separate investment will be made at the time and not part of this plan. Not necessary the same type of vessel as the first enhanced sealift vessel, as they don't know the requirements that will be needed at the time. Requirements may change.

• 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.
• Ship to Shore : Amphibious Support Ships in The The Asia-Pacific Region
• Sense of scale

Page 33 Point 197-198.

Investment decisions planned for 2026
Enhanced Sealift Capability

197. Acquisition of an enhanced multi-role sealift vessel to complement HMNZS Canterbury will occur in the late 2020s. The ship will be able to carry more people, stores and equipment, and will include a docking well, allowing the ship to be able to operate in a greater range of sea states, including those typically encountered around New Zealand and in the Pacific. It will also support the same or a greater number of embarked helicopters as HMNZS Canterbury. An example of the class of vessel that could be considered under this project is a Landing Platform Dock.

198. The new sealift vessel will provide greater support and sustainment of humanitarian and disaster relief and security operations in the Pacific, and increased support to civil defence and emergency management domestically.

Indicative dates:

Industry engagement commences – 2022
Request for tender – 2024
Introduction into Service – 2029

Indicative capital cost: More than $1b

Nothing there to suggest it is for both vessels and only talks about the vessel that is to supplement HMNZS Canterbury, not the replacement vessel. It also says vessel, not vessels. This is important to note. It does not even mention the replacement for HMNZS Canterbury.

• Why do I think the Endurance 170 LHD is a good choice for the RNZN.
• A closer look at the Endurance 160 LHD

Page 34 Point 203.

Additional Enhanced Sealift Capability
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.

Basically put, no budget is given on HMNZS Canterbury replacement, no decision to say it will even be the same style of vessel or whether it will be larger or smaller than the new enhanced sealift. They are saying that they unsure what the requirements are or will be and what new capabilities are required.

So everything is pointing to the 1 billion+ or More than $1b dollars for the one or single vessel, not for two. There is no cost given for the second vessel. The 2nd vessel could easily be a vessel the size of HMNZS Canterbury with well dock and cost only 300 million or the powers that be may decide the 2nd vessel have even more capability than the first enhanced sealift vessel. It doesn't say. It is not in this budget or capability plan due to it is in the mid 2030's. 

Also, one has to remember that this plan is a 15 year plan or the 20 billion dollars over 15 years investment plan (which started 5 years ago) so vessels and equipment past 2030 are not budgeted in this plan neither are the ANZAC replacements for example. Mentioned but not budgeted.

The full defence capability plan can be read here;
https://defence.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/03acb8c6aa/Defence-Capability-Plan-2019.pdf