DEFENCE
The Navy: What do our partners really think of us, hypothetically? In this fictional brief, a Chief of Navy of a fictional regional power provides insights to his defence Minister on New Zealand’s maritime capability prior to navy to navy talks. A hypothetical by Andrew Watts.
In an over three-decade career in the RNZN, CAPT Watts RNZNR commanded HMNZ Ships Pukaki, Wellington, Resolution and Te Mana, and served as Director, Capability Development and Programme Director Network Enabled Capability, and Captain, Fleet Personnel & Training. He is a Defence Adviser at KPMG based in Riyadh.
Minister, In preparation for your upcoming talks with the New Zealand Minister of Defence, you asked for an assessment of the contribution made by New Zealand’s navy (the Royal New Zealand Navy - RNZN) to regional security. This assessment is provided herewith. The RNZN is divided into a number of functional forces – combat, patrol, sustainment, and littoral warfare. The capabilities these forces bring to regional security are as follows:
Combat The combat force is based on two Anzac class frigates. Although over 20 years old, their combat systems are in some respects near leading edge, particularly in relation to what is known as local area air defence. The Sea Ceptor missile with which they are equipped is very advanced, featuring “active homing” capability. They can provide meaningful defence against aircraft and missiles to a small sea area containing up to about three “high value” units,
Sealift capability: HMNZS Canterbury. Image courtesy NZDF.
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