Around 2035 the RNZN's two ANZAC frigates will need replacing. What are New Zealand’s options. What will meet their needs and requirements. Now this is one of the hard this, as decisions we make today have to compatible for at last 30 years.
There already a few options that New Zealand could tap into. From the expensive to the more affordable options. The RNZN has been keeping an eye on various projects around the world already but officially the industry engagement is around 2023.
We have the obvious options like the more expensive Type 26 and the cheaper Type 31 which is what everyone is talking about, but are there any other options out there? There are a few other options that don’t get talked about a lot because every one is focused on the Type 26 Global Combat Ship or the Type 31 General Purpose Frigate.
Now again like every article I have written in the past talking about defence these are only options and does not mean that I personally think we should go for that that option. The reason, while I am ex-Navy, the government requirements of what they need and want from the navy are changing and it is difficult to know what they are really going to want to meet those requirements and needs.
Type 26/31
The RNZN has expressed interest in many projects, and have said that the Type 26 tick’s all the boxes and fits like a glove to the current RNZN requirements. However the Type 26 is one of the top tier and more expensive frigates on the list. It is a specialised anti submarine frigate with technologies to make them quieter in the water, a larger weapons and sensors array than the current ANZAC’s have. One of the main roles the RNZN excel in is anti-submarine warfare. back in the Lander frigate days that was our main fleet duties.
New Zealand could make cut backs on the weapons array, and stick to the “fitted for but not with” which is most likely going to happen no matter what vessel we choice and while I would like to see the Type 26 in the RNZN with a kiwi on the funnel, I personally can not see it happening purely due to cost. It is not that New Zealand can not afford it it is governments of the day are unwilling to spend serious money on defence.
Can New Zealand afford them? Yes we can, but the political will is most likely not there. But I have noticed in the last 5 years this "will" is slowly but surely changing as the world views change as to what is happening around the world and in particular the South China Sea.
The Type 26 is a very capable frigate, but is it to much capability for the RNZN? This kind of talk is rot and cancer to my ears. We have to think of not now, but 20 years down the track when the Type 26 Technology will be average by then. Not only that look at the rest of the fleet when these vessels will be coming on line and their duties.
The RNZN will have the Enhanced Sealift Vessel (ESV) and replacement of the SH-2G Sea Sprites by then and a second ESV to replace the MRV HMNZS Canterbury. The ESV while most likely be a large LPD, However that is not the only options for this vessel, and on certain deployments she may need an escort. HMNZS Aotearoa also on the odd occasion may need an escort. The Type 26 would be good at escort duties covering ASW and ASuW and if the Government on the day stop kicking the can down the road, and arm them with anti ship missiles as well, the will be multi-role in the New Zealand context.
Canada, Australia, and the UK have chosen the Type 26 as their main frigate, the UK is also supplementing their fleet with the Type 31 GP Frigate (GP; General Purpose)
The Type 31 is a lot cheaper but that also means less capabilities in many area’s while still remaining a capable GP Frigate. The initial costs of the 31 is about $450m NZD. But we have to be careful here as that is just the hull, not the weapons, defences and systems etc.
My main concern is the ASW capabilities of the Type 31 compared to the current ANZAC’s. In certain areas it is nearly a step backwards other areas it is a sideways step and not an actual improvement to the current capabilities of the ANZAC’s. Especially after their upgrades.
The main thing missing from the upgraded ANZAC’s is ship born ASM capabilities. They were "fitted for but not with" for Harpoon during the initial build. But after the upgrade I do not know if this capability is still there or if it is now legacy and while the ANZACs have the Sea Sprite carrying the Penguin ASM it’s range is far to limited and should be upgraded to the Naval Strike Missile.
There is an old joke about the kiwi ANZAC’s that they are the best informed targets on the sea. Another words at least they will know what is going to hit them as they are far to limited at striking back.
French FDI
The French FDI frigate program is another option and RNZN personal are keeping an eye on the program. FDI multi-mission frigates will be approximately 122 meters long, 18 meters wide and have a displacement of 4,500 metric tons. Only slightly larger than the current ANZAC’s in length and tonnage. But I not a limiting factor in range of only about 5000nm compared 6900nm (at 18knots).
I am not to worried about armament due to most vessels you can up spec or change to what we currently have etc using various tech of the ANZAC’s...
Initial costs €420 million (2017) per unit in 2020 €436.65 million . or $724.95 million NZD.
For example;
The frigates will be armed with Exocet MM40 B3C anti-surface missiles, Aster 15/30 anti-air missiles, MU90 anti-submarine torpedoes, and an Oto Melara 76mm Super Rapid gun.
Exocet changed to Naval strike missile (not that we have it). Aster 15/30 anti-air missiles would become CAMM, MU90 anti-submarine torpedoes would become MK 56 torpedos and Oto Melara 76mm Super Rapid gun to what ever requirements of the day but remember we currently we use 127mm, and probably include adding in the block upgraded Phalanx CIWS.
As for the Sensors much of that will come from the ANZAC's and or what ever new technologies come our way that the NZG say yes to. Most likely upgraded version of what we already use. Including the CMS330 which will have had 15 years of upgrades.
The vessels are able to embark simultaneously a helicopter and an unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV), and can also receive a Special Forces detachment with their two commando boats. They have a crew complement of 125 and can accommodate 28 passengers.
FFG(X) Program
While this one is on the cards like the Type 26 and more expensive. The USN have not had a class of frigate for some time, and the FFG(X) now call “The Constellation class” frigate the, are in the category of the Type 26 with size tonnage and weapon’s. Being a US program these are not going to be cheap but are probably cheaper than the Type 26.
The chosen design was announced On 30 April 2020, that Fincantieri Marinette Marine's multi purpose frigate had won the contest and was awarded a $795 million contract for detailed design and construction of the lead ship, with options for nine additional ships. $795 million USD converts to 1.2 Billion NZD. This cost may get lower as the project ramps up and the final cost per unit is truly known.
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Compare that to the Aussie built Type 26 indicative costs $3.9b AUD or $2.9b USD, which is $4.07b NZD per unit.
- Canadian built Type 26, $4.65b CAD or $3.58b USD which is $4.9b NZD per unit.
- UK built Type 26, £1.23b Pound or $1.58b USD which is $2.2b NZD
So initial costs show the Constellation Class is half the price of the Type 26.
- ASM - Anti Ship Missile
- ASW - Anti Submarine Warfare
- ASuW - Anti Surface Warfare
- AUD – Australian Dollar
- CAD – Canadian Dollar
- CIWS – Close In Weapon System
- ESV - Enhanced Sealift Vessel
- FDI - Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention, Defence and Intervention Frigate
- GP Frigate - General Purpose Frigate
- LPD - Landing Platform Dock
- MRV - Multi Role Vessel
- nm - Nautical Mile
- NZG - New Zealand Government
- NZD – New Zealand Dollar
- RN – Royal Navy
- RAN – Royal Australian Navy
- RCN – Royal Canadian Navy
- RNZN - Royal New Zealand Navy
- USD - United States Dollar
- USN - United States Navy
