I have thought about this over and over and have changed my mind many times at what I think the future Royal New Zealand Navy should consist of. I have seen other articles that consist of submarines and various other equipment that while New Zealand can technically afford them, there is more to it that just saying we need to have submarines.

One of the issues we have is that the various New Zealand Governments have not had a clear focus on what they want the entire defence force to do... Yes defend the country and our interests. But what does that actually entail. And until we know that you can not design a defence force to defend it.

Now before I go any further, while I am saying we definitely need more surface vessels to patrol our areas of interest. I am saying though we need to basically to increase the size and capability of our navy. However I am not saying that these vessel are actually what we should have but they are an option. I say increase the navy as we are an island nation surrounded by water, use the sea for trade routes, and 

Our interests include our EEZ, Antarctica, the Ross Sea, the Continental Shelf, the South Pacific and the nations with in the Tasman Sea. This also includes the international sea trade routes, as we are an island nation that requires trade by sea.

Now add in to this areas that we are in charge of for Search and Rescue’s and which is nearly 1/10th of the planet it is an absolutely huge area.

I am positive there is more but at the time of me writing this it is all I could seriously think at the time...

Currently the Royal New Zealand Navy consists of 9 vessels soon to be to 11 but that could also change back to 9 as 2 of the IPV’s the status of them may change.

• x2 FFG’s
  • HMNZS Te Kaha
  • HMNZS Te Mana

• x1 AOR
  • HMNZS Aotearoa

• x1 MRV
  • HMNZS Canterbury

• x2 OPV’s
  • HMNZS Otago
  • HMNZS Wellington

• x2 IPV’s
  • HMNZS Hawea
  • HMNZS Taupo

• x1 DHV
  • HMNZS Manawanui

• x8 Kaman SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite

This is all based in Auckland at the Davenport Navel Base and Hobsenville Air Base.

We also know currently there is going to be a new Southern Ocean Patrol Vessel (SOPV) by 2027 and a new Enhanced Sealift Vessel (ESV) by 2029. The Frigates are due to be replaced by 2035 as is HMNZS Canterbury and HMNZS Manawanui.

So what would I like to see the navy ... either which way many of you know I wish to see the return of at least a 4 frigate navy;

• x4 frigates
  • x2 Type 26
  • x2 Type 31
• x4 OPVs
  • Harry DeWolf Class
• x1 AOR
  • HMNZS Aotearoa
• x2 LPD/LHD
  • Endurance 170
• x2 IPV’s
  • HMNZS Hawea
  • HMNZS Taupo
• x1 DHV.
  • HMNZS Manawanui
• x12 Agusta Westland AW159 Wildcat
  • 6 with dipping sonar

New Zealand needs to keep it’s frigate capability currently we only have 2 down from 4. Meaning the 2 are over worked and falling apart making them heavier on maintenance which is expensive and it is rising. The idea of the OPV’s was to releave some of the work the frigates were doing, however, the frigates have still been worked just as hard.

The current upgrades while extensive but also limited will only keep them updated for a few years and they will lag again. Some say the upgrades we behind even before they happened.

The two major procurements currently before we talk about frigates are the ESV and SOPV.

• Options for the NZDF and RNZN 2nd enhanced Sealift vessel
• Other LHD operations
• Why do I think the Endurance 170 LHD is a good choice for the RNZN.
• Options for SOPV for the RNZN
• RNZN future frigate options.

The ‘Harry DeWolf-class’ offshore patrol vessels is a good option for the SOPV and would fit most of the objectives set out but the New Zealand Government. But would getting 4 of them to replace the current OPV’s as well as on extra for more patrols I don’t know they are expensive for what they are. However there are cheaper and other options for the replacement of the current OPV’s as they will not need to be ice strengthened as the SOPV will be.

The next procurement is the ESV. I have written a few articles on this subject and my choice actually stands with the Singaporean Endurance 170 or an evolved version of it and second when we come to replace HMNZS Canterbury 6 years later.

These vessels would totally meet the requirements set out by the DCP 2019 and a give the New Zealand government and the New Zealand Defence Force option they have never have had before.

The new tanker HMNZS Aotearoa should serve our navy well and be in service in 30-35 years. She is ice strengthened and will travel to McMurdo and Scott base’s. She will be useful in HADR around the South Pacific as she can create water and carry 22 20ft containers of supplies. She will also be useful in refuelling our navy and allies. She is an a medium sized AOR which is a huge step up from HMNZS Endeavour not only in size and tonnage but also capabilities. Only time will tell if she is designed well and She is have minimal problems and teething issues.

Now we come to the hard part the frigate replacement program is most likely to start in the next year or so. It has been know the RNZN and NZDF have been keeping an eye on various Frigate programs around the world, from the Type 26, Type 31e, The French FDI/FTI frigate, the US Constellation Frigate program and a variety of other programs... But he for mentioned are the main contenders.

Various articles have said that various senior RNZN personal have said the Type 26 fits like glove to the current requirements of the RNZN. The issue is the cost at over a 2.5 b to 4 billion dollars per frigate, however there are also articles explaining how treasury works and it is not as all bad as one thinks.

Some may not like what I am about to suggest as it will bring two classes of frigates into the RNZN. Get x2 Type 26 and x2 Type 31.

I will also point out that the US Constellation Frigate is probably only going to cost around 1.4 Billion per-unit. (so for 4 that is only 5.6b working out cheaper than the type 26 at 6b+ for two).

While I see the need for 4 frigates I don’t see the need for 4 specialist anti submarine highly priced frigates, but maybe 2, plus 2 general purpose frigates which is what we also need.

The Type 26 is an impressive ship and has been designed as a modular vessel with it’s impressive mission bays and weapon systems will make it a formidable frigate. However it is pricey for what it is.

The other issue is not matter what frigate the NZG gets for the RNZN it needs to be armed with offensive weapon systems a decent anti ship missile and ie the Naval Strike Missile and more anti air cover. It is an issue than NZ under arm our ships (and for that matter troops in general) If the NZG is serious about our defense defending our rights, freedoms, resources and trade routes then we need to spend the money on this. To show our allies we are serious and will to put the money where our mouth is.  

The $20 billion over 15 years was a good start but when that runs out you need to start thinking about doing it again.

If the governments of to today have not learnt from the past that having the right equipment in the time of need... and 

Insurance is not cheap... and that is what defense spending is insurance, don't like paying for it up front, but damned glad I did with shit hits the fan...