Probably, it would be a useful addition to the RNZN.
It is becoming the Jacinta and Justin marriage made in heaven. We could then move the Shakey Isles to the BC coast so they could share that side of the “ring of fire” with the effect that the Kiwis would all stop playing Rugby and take up Ice Hockey.
The result would be that our poor suffering Wallabies would not get flogged so often
The ship would definitely be. But regarding the rugger, no such luck. The Canucks would get a lot better and become probably as good as Los Pumas
Watching Ret. Admiral Kevin McCoy, President of Irving Shipbuilding, on local Halifax news talking about the recently launched AOPS1 the yet to be named "HMCS Harry Dewolfe"
One of the questions asked was is Irving looking for foreign sales. One country who wishes to remain anonymous at this time is looking.
I wonder if this country could be NZ?
Bloody hope not. Whilst it would be ideal for our needs, a Canadian built one would be as expensive as hell, unless Justin gives Jacinda a significant others discount.
Having exactly the same systems is not necessary to achieve interoperability, The personal training standards and experience cycles are important and so is system communications. What also must be kept in mind is the NZ government's reluctance to spend money on defence, as to get the numbers we either get a simplified outcome, or reduced numbers of fully equipped units. What I was suggesting however was that any ship we replaced the ANZAC's with would unlikely to have been currently in service for a significant period of time as by the time we would be getting our replacements the design would be getting old. Something of the same era as the type 26 would be fine, but something designed over 10 years ago would be starting to look a little old by the time we put it into service in terms of hull design, machinery, noise reduction and crew requirements, etc.
Ahem, the DDG-51 Arleigh Burke is how old? First built 1988. The Flight III variant has just begun. It's not the hull shape per se, that needs drastically to change, for a change in capability, because unless you want an increase in speed, the shape doesn't need to change. It's what's within the hull that changes over time and in the case of the F370 Ivers, the compartments nor machinery don't need changing. It's the weapons, sensors etc., that need upgrading. Noise reduction within the platform can be achieved without a major redesign, as spoz
pointed out earlier. Crew requirements of the Ivers are similar to other new platforms. You are right about about interoperability to a point. Being able to exchange and act upon data quickly and efficiently in a tactical situation is paramount between partners. Having the same operational procedures, methodologies and tactics are also advantageous, and being able to use the same weapons is an advantage due to quick supply, especially if the USN fleet supply train is being utilised. However not all partners use the same languages, weapons, operational procedures or tactics so that is where exercises like RIMPAC have a role in ironing out differences.
I think this is profoundly unfair to our trans Tasman neighbours. I'm quite sure that they, in general, are well aware of what is happening in the world and their place and responsibilities, but their electoral system fails them in the same way as many do - including Australia's - by almost ensuring a fairly toothless government which is hostage to small factions that may not be offended. Add their apparently benign position and it is quite easy to ignore defence in favour of policies which will maintain their positions untroubled by their own putative allies. After all, the voters have been told for 30+ years that NZ faces no military threat (except from France and the USA)
I think that is true of our current govt who are beholden to Winston Peters, Leader of NZ First, Deputy PM, and easily offended. The govts from 1999 to 2017 were not so much with fairly strong leaders who in some cases lead minority govts in a MMP environment. However in the current govt, a minor party, NZ First, is leading the quite larger party, NZ Labour around by the means of a ring through the nose and hence the NZG. If Winston doesn't like it, it doesn't happen and what Winston wants Winston gets. Quite entertaining actually.
Personally I like MMP, because the First Past the Post (FPP) system didn't truly reflect the electorates wishes. NZ's closest ever version of a dictator was Muldoon (National 1975 - 1984, elected under FPP) followed by Clark (Labour 1999 - 2008, elected under MMP ) and he did a lot of damage to NZ, followed closely by Clark. Winston is a Muldoon acolyte. So whilst I can't stand Winston, he is preventing the current govt from undertaking a radical shift to the left like Clark did.
There are a small very vocal minority of left leaning peaceniks who make the Green Party defence party look positively militant. They are the ones who grew out of the anti Nam War protest movement and were part of the anti nuke movement in NZ and the protested the USN nuke ship and sub visits. Clark and senior members of her govt were part of that movement. However small pacifist movements within NZ go back WW1 and beyond.
