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Fincantieri 20,000t LHD
This is the big brother of the Enhance San Giusto Class LPD but smaller than the Trieste Class LHD at only 190m and 20,000tons.
MAIN CHARACTERISTICS
- Length overall: 190 m
- Length between perpendiculars: 167 m
- Max breadth: 33 m
- Moulded breadth: 28 m
- Full load displacement: 20,000 t
- Operational speed: 20 kn
- Range at 16 kn: 7,000 nm
ENERGY AND PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Propulsion diesel engines MMPP: 2 x 11,000 kW + 2 x 6,500 kW
- Diesel generators sets: 4 x 2,500 kW each
HELO CAPABILITIES
- Flight deck for: up to 6 helicopters EH-101 type
- Helicopters hangar for: up to 6 EH-101 type
- Vehicle deck capability: up to 1,200 metric lanes
- Hospital area: abt. 1,000 m² plus 1,000 m² of convertible areas
- Floodable dock: abt. 50 x 15 m
- Vehicle ramps: 1 stern + 1 side
- Accommodation: 200 crew + 750 troops
COMBAT SYSTEM
- Air & Surface surveillance system (combined air/surface surveillance radar or air+surface surveillance radars): Mine avoidance sonar
- Artillery: 3 Short Range Gun 25 mm + 2 Otomelara 76/62 SR (acting also as CIWS)
- EW system (ESM/ECM + 2 AAW DLS)
- Torpedo defense (Towed Array + 2 ASW DLS)
- Open architectural command & control system able to be implemented also in later phase (i.e. adding operational functions & operator consoles) (400 m2 available)
- Integrated comms. system (including also the means for landing troops)
- Integrated navigation system (including X and S band navigation radars)
The vessel seems very capable on paper, I would suggest that it is in the upper limits of the budget and maybe outside the budget given and has an unproven design, and there would be certain elements that need to be changed to suit the RNZN. While I like the Endurance 170 and its unproven design being built in Singapore the cost would not be as high not quite as big costing less overall. But she would dwarf HMNZS Aotearoa as well and new wharves and thought of moving the Naval Base will be starting again. They have already modified the wharf to accommodate HMNZS Aotearoa.
