Resilience through numbers

Resilience through numbers: New Zealand’s plan to build a more capable navy over the next decade

By Ian Kemp

New Zealand’s ANZAC-class frigate HMNZS Te Kaha (centre) berthed at Esquimalt, British Columbia in December 2019 following its Frigate Systems Upgrade by Lockheed Martin Systems Canada. © DND

The RNZN’s two ANZAC-class frigates are being equipped with MBDA’s Sea Ceptor Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM) air defence missile system during the Frigate Systems Upgrade. © MBDA

In recent decades, the New Zealand Defence Force has been reliant “on a number of capabilities based on either a single or very small number of platforms,” stated The Defence Capability Plan (DCP 2019), published by the Labourled, coalition government in June 2019. The Royal New Zealand Navy includes only a single sealift vessel, HMNZS Canterbury, two ANZAC-class frigates, both of which

are unavailable at present as they are being upgraded, and two hard-working Offshore Patrol Vessels supporting operations in New Zealand’s ‘neighbourhood’ which reaches from Antarctica to the South Pacific.

“As a Pacific nation, we are also a maritime nation. Indeed, these same [humanitarian and disaster relief] capabilities provided by Canterbury to Pacific Island nations have also been deployed domestically, following both the Christchurch and Kaikoura earthquakes,” said Defence Minister Ron Mark when he publicly presented DCP 2019. “Yet despite understanding its value, the New Zealand Defence Force has been limited through its reliance on Canterbury as the sole vessel of its type. As we find ourselves needing to do more in the future, reliance on single points of failure must be replaced with resilience through numbers.”

The DCP 2019 reaffirms the government’s pledge, made in DCP 2016, to spend NZ$20 billion (€11.2 billion) on equipment acquisition through 2030. More than a quarter of this budget has been spent already on projects which include the acquisition of four Boeing P-8As long-range maritime patrol aircraft, purchased in March 2019. “Consistent with the Coalition Government’s Pacific Reset, key changes to this Defence Capability Plan are focused on increasing the effectiveness of the Defence Force to operate in the South Pacific. Foremost in these changes is increasing New Zealand’s capacity to respond as the demand for assistance grows, with improved capabilities to move personnel, stores and equipment.”

The plan outlines four significant programmes – a Southern Ocean Patrol Vessel, Enhanced Sealift Capability, Maritime Helicopter Replacement and Offshore Patrol Vessel Replacement - to improve the navy’s ability to project power across the South Pacific although none of these projects will come to fruition before 2027. However, in the short term the service is looking forward to the introduction of new and upgraded ships previously ordered.

New ship in 2019

The RNZN welcomed its first ‘new’ ship in nine years in June 2019 with the commissioning of HMNZS Manawanui, a multi-role offshore support vessel acquired to replace two decommissioned vessels, the hydrographic survey ship HMNZS Resolution and the diving support vessel HMNZS Manawanui. Original

The Enhanced Sealift Capability project will deliver an enhanced multi-role sealift vessel in 2029 to complement HMNZS Canterbury. © RNZN

installation of weapon systems, damage control equipment and other naval systems.

ly the Ministry of Defence had planned to acquire a new build dive and hydrographic vessel (DHV) but, forced to find additional funds for the modernisation of its two ANZAC-class frigates, opted to acquire a second-hand vessel and after reviewing 150 vessels determined the 85 meters Norwegian-built MV Edda Fonn was suitable for conversion. The vessel’s modern design and systems will provide improved capacity, speed, safety, and capability over the previous vessels. Features include a 100 tonnes salvage crane, a Saab Seaeye Cougar XT underwater robotic vehicle and a K-POS Dynamic Positioning 2 System supplied by Kongsberg Gruppen. Rear Admiral David Proctor, Chief of Navy, described the vessel as “a huge addition and improvement in military effect for New Zealand once we have introduced her and all her associated capabilities”.

Stage 1 modifications, which included the installation of two mezzanine decks, a diving system, the ROV, a new engine, a hydrographic survey system, two davits, and an exterior repaint, were completed at the Ørskov shipyard in Frederikshavn, Denmark, in early 2019 before the vessel sailed for New Zealand. Babcock New Zealand is undertaking the Stage 2 modifications necessary to complete the Manawanui’s transition to a naval vessel. This includes the installation of a communications centre fitted with military communications and IT systems plus

Enhanced replenishment

South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) began builder trials of HMNZS Aotearoa, the RNZN’s new 23,000 tonnes Polar-class tanker, in mid-December. The NZ$493 million (€295 million) Maritime Sustainment Capability project was designed to replace the navy’s previous tanker, HMZS Endeavour decommissioned on 15 December 2017, with a much more capable vessel incorporating ice-strengthening and other winterisation features enabling the ship to support New Zealand’s civilian presence in Antarctica through a contribution to the Joint Logistics Pool. The contract to design and build the maritime sustainment vessel, and deliver an associated support package, was awarded to HHI on 25 July 2016. The ship is scheduled to sail to New Zealand in the second quarter of 2020 where local industry partners will complete the New Zealand customisation of the vessel, including the installation of sensors and communications equipment, before it is commissioned at Devonport Naval Base.

At 173 meters long, HMNZS Aotearoa will be the largest ship ever operated by RNZN and provides accommodation for 98 personnel comprising a core crew of 64, an 11-strong aviation detachment,14 trainees, eight ‘mission team’ personnel and one VIP. The ship can carry 8,000 tonnes of diesel fuel, 1,500 tonnes of aviation fuel and 12 20ft containers. The hangar is designed to carry and operate a Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 medium helicopter. The ship’s sensors package includes a Farsounder-1000 sonar and Hensholdt UK SharpEye S and X-Band navigation radars.

The navy’s two Protector-class offshore patrol vessels, HMNZS Otago (left) and Wellington (right), are scheduled to receive a communications upgrade by 2022. © RNZN

The multirole vessel HMNZS Canterbury (top), the frigate HMNZS Te Kaha (middle) and the offshore patrol vessel HMNZS Otago (bottom) represent the RNZN’s combatant types. © RNZN

Aotearoa is the first naval ship built using Roll-Royce’s Environship design, which includes a new wave-piercing hull for reduced resistance and fuel consumption. As well as the design, the British firm was the primary subcontractor to HHI and provided numerous systems including a Combined Diesel Electric and Diesel (CODLAD) propulsion plant based on twin Bergen main engines, each driving, via reduction gears, a controllable pitch propeller. Electrical power is supplied by four MTU gensets from Rolls-Royce Power Systems, which will also provide power to the Rolls-Royce supplied switchboards, motors, drives, bow thruster and the electric replenishment at sea and fuelling at sea system, which allows for simpler and quieter replenishment/fuelling-at-sea operations. Rotary vane steering gear, the propeller shafts and rudders also form part of the company’s package. The two main engines will allow a maximum speed of 16 knots and a range of about 6,400 Nautical Miles.

“Aotearoa has been equipped with the latest technology to provide supplies and fuel to the Royal New Zealand Navy, Commonwealth and allied naval vessels and to support New Zealand Defence Force operations wherever there is a need,” said Admiral Proctor at the ship’s naming ceremony in October 2019. “And she will play a major role in the provision of humanitarian aid and disaster relief when required.”

22 Reliance on one or two platforms in each class of warship continues to limit the RNZN’s flexibility. © RNZN

NZ$1 billion has been tentatively allocated to the Maritime Helicopter Replacement to replace the eight Seasprite SH-2G(I) helicopters, operated by the RNZAF, from 2028. © USN

ANZAC frigates beyond 2030

The navy is eagerly anticipating the return of its two primary combatants, the Australian-built ANZAC-class frigates HMNZS Te Mana and Te Kaha which entered service in 1997 and 1999 respectively. The frigates represent one of the NZDF’s three high end combat capabilities, along with the four Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and the New Zealand Army’s special operations forces, identified in DCP 2019. Lockheed Martin Canada was selected in April 2014 for the Frigate Systems Upgrade (FSU) project to upgrade the ships’ surveillance, combat and self-defence capabilities, and address obsolescence of some current systems. The FSU represents the first export sale for Lockheed Martin Canada’s Combat Management System (CMS), an export derivative of the CMS developed for Canada’s Halifax Class Modernization project. The FSU includes new radars, electronic detection and other above water sensors, MBDA’s Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM) Sea Ceptor air defence missile system, the Ultra Electronics Sea Sentor Surface Ship Torpedo Defence system, and from Thales Australia the Broadband Sonar Advanced Processing System (BSAPS) for the Spherion B hull mounted sonar and the TUUM-6 multi-channel Digital Underwater Communication System (DUWCS).

Work on Te Kaha began at Seaspan Victoria Shipyards at Esquimalt, British Columbia, in early May 2018 and work on Te Mana began the following May. Te Kaha is expected to return to New Zealand later this year and Te Mana about 12 months later.

In December 2017, the Government added an additional NZ$148 million (€88.6 million) to the original NZ$446 million (€267 million) approved for the FSU project in April 2014.

The government announced in DCP 2019 that “the major upgrades currently being undertaken on the ANZAC frigates combat systems will not be fully completed until 2023. In order to maximise the value of these upgrades, the service lives of the ANZAC frigates will be extended until after 2030. To support this life extension additional work will be completed on the vessels, including an

New Zealand’s two ANZAC-class frigates, HMNZS Te Mana (shown), until the mid-2030s. © USN

A New Zealand Army NZLAV disembarks from HMNZS Canterbury at Gladstone, Australian during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019. © Australian DoD

HMNZS Te Mana en route to Exercise RIMPAC 2018. © Australian DoD

enhanced maintenance and repair package to ensure appropriate upkeep until the end of the ships’ service lives.”

The service expects to select a prime contractor in 2021 for a NZ$50-100 million (€30-60 million) project to upgrade the communications systems aboard the frigates to address obsolescence issues, and support interoperability with new Allied and NZDF capabilities such as the four P-8As purchased in March 2019. A further NZ$25-50 million (€15-30 million) will be spend over the next three years to upgrade communications systems on-board the strategic sealift ship HMNZS Canterbury, and the two Protector-class offshore patrol vessels, HMNZS Otago and Wellington, with a contract scheduled to be awarded this year.

Southern Ocean Patrol Vessel

The navy decommissioned HMNZS Rotoiti and HMNZS Pukaki, two of the four Lakeclass Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV) ordered in parallel with Canterbury, Otago and Wellington, after only 10 years of service at a formal ceremony on 17 November. “We have signalled the intent to restructure our fleet to better prepare ourselves for activities in the Pacific and the Southern Ocean,” said Admiral Proctor. “Operational experience has shown that specific tasks required of the Naval Patrol Force are better conducted by our larger offshore patrol vessels due their ability to project a presence and persist further afield. That’s something these ships simply weren’t built to do. The Navy identified that a better capability outcome would be achieved using the current OPVs, HMNZS Otago and Wellington, supplemented with a planned Southern Ocean Patrol Vessel in the mid-2020s.”

HMNZS Canterbury moored at Santo Island, Vanuatu providing humanitarian civic assistance during a Pacific Partnership deployment. © Australian DoD

With a projected programme cost of between NZ$300-600 million (€180-360 million), the ice-strengthened Southern Ocean Patrol Vessel will be the first ship ordered as part of DCP 2019 with a request for tender planned in

2022 leading to an introduction into service in 2027. The capabilities of this vessel will be primarily for use towards supporting other agencies in the Southern Ocean and around New Zealand, allowing the Otago Class OPVs, and their eventual replacements, to focus on the South Pacific. Built to commercial specifications, the vessel will have minimal specialist military capabilities.

Enhanced Sealift Capability

The introduction of four Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from 2023 will greatly enhance the NZDF’s surveillance ability. © USN

DCP 2019 noted “the demand placed on HMNZS Canterbury has highlighted the criticality of effective sealift. Experience over the last ten years has highlighted the operational and environmental limits of HMNZS Canterbury, as well as the risks inherent in maintaining a sole vessel of this type. The more than NZ$1 billion (€600 million) Enhanced Sealift Project is designed to provide a vessel with greater lift capacity than Canterbury as well as improved hospital facilities, planning spaces, and self-defence capabilities. 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 enough aviation capacity to allow extended, long duration operations.” The RNZN cites a Landing Platform Dock is an example of the type of vessel that will be considered for the project with request for tender planned for 2024 leading to an in service date of 2029. Engagement with industry is scheduled to begin in 2022.

HMNZS Canterbury will be withdrawn from service following 2030, at which point an investment will be made to further improve the navy’s sealift capability.

The RNZN is supported by eight Seasprite SH-2G(I) helicopters, operated by the RNZAF, which will reach the end of their

ANZAC-class frigate HMNZS Te Kaha has received a new superstructure as part of Frigate Systems Upgrade primed by Lockheed Martin Systems Canada. © RNZN

service lives in the late 2020s. New Zealand will begin discussions later this year for a more than NZ$1 billion (€600 million) Maritime Helicopter Replacement project to procure an unspecified number of helicopters to support the navy’s patrol, sealift and combat capabilities. A request for tender is scheduled to be released in 2024 and is expected to lead to service introduction in 2028. NHIndustries will promote the commonality offered by the naval variant of the NH90 with the eight NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopters which have been in RNZAF service since 2013-14.

In 2028, New Zealand plans to award a contract for the Offshore Patrol Vessel Replacement to succeed HMNZS Otago and Wellington which are expected to reach the end of their service lives in the early 2030s. The government expects to spend from NZ $600-1,000 million (€360-600 million) on the project.

Beyond 2030

bility expected to be reassessed ahead of the publication of the 2022 Defence White Paper.

“The challenges which New Zealand faces as a maritime nation were recognised in the Strategic Defence Policy Statement [2018],” said Mark. “Over coming years New Zealand will likely face increasingly challenging requirements to identify, characterise and respond to activity in its expansive maritime domain. Capabilities have been included in the Defence Capability Plan that allow us to confront the sheer size of our maritime domain.” Mark noted that “the successful implementation of the Defence Capability Plan can only be done in close partnership with industry”.

Looking to the period 2030-35, DCP 2019 states “the ANZAC Frigates are scheduled to be replaced with modern surface combatants relevant to New Zealand’s prevailing strategic environment in the mid-2030s” with this capa

The Leonardo’s M-346FA (Fighter/Attack) variant has an undisclosed international customer, which has acquired six aircraft. The new variant will be available for delivery in 2021 after being type-certified by Italian MoD’s Air Armaments and Worthiness Directorate. © Luca Peruzzi

Towards Combat Trainers

By Luca Peruzzi

In the last decades of crisis management operations, mostly characterized by permissive or light-contested scenarios, worldwide air forces have been using heavier and more expensive latest generation frontline combat aircraft with high-operating costs. A significant percentage of these sorties have been spent in close air support (CAS) missions as well as homeland security and air policing, tactical reconnaissance and protection of humanitarian and crisis management missions. Moreover, an important number of air forces cannot afford the procurement and management of latest generation combat aircraft. An emerging need for multi-missions optimized and lower-cost platforms is pushing, among the potential solutions, towards the so-called ‘combat trainers’, or the advanced trainer/lead-in fighter platforms with combat capabilities that have lower procurement/life-cycle and flying costs per hour compared to heavier and more expensive combat aircraft used for the same missions.

Based on the proven M-346 Master lead-in fighter/trainer platform, already in service with Italian, Republic of Singapore, Israeli and Polish air forces and under delivery to the International Flight Training School (IFTS) created by Italian air force and Leonardo, the aircraft division of the Italian group is developing the new platform’s