Royal New Zealand Navy Discussions and Updates

[recce.k1]

Just bringing things back to RNZN matters and the future fleet in particular the replacement manned patrol capability, as a potential option the latest rendering of the Future Danish Arctic Patrol Vessel has been released and featured on Naval News 6 September.

Of a similar design to the Baltic Patrol Vessel this new design is optimised for North Atlantic patrolling, could the RNZN be interested in assessing this vessel for both Southern Ocean patrol and Pacific patrol functions (assuming it is also configured to operate in warmer/ocean climates)? Perhaps as another option alongside the Canadian Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS)?

Info gleaned from the video (doesn't seem to be much else on the internet as yet):

It's the replacement for the Thetis class (3,500 tonnes).
Designed with a "heavy" sensor suite.
Carries an organic helicopter/includes a hanger (the Danish navy operate MH-60R's so assume the hanger will fit this type).
Ice breaking capacity - up to 1m of old ice / 1.5m of new ice.
High speed - increased power engines (details weren't clarified).
Long duration (operate for several months supporting up to 80 people).
Mission deck, modular, support surveillance equipment, SF embarkment.
Length up to 120m (10-12m longer than Baltic patrol vessel).
Timeline delivery for the Danes - 2029 3rd quarter/1 vessel per year.

Some screenshots from the Naval News video. Note the high sides and enclosed mission bays (both sides and rear) protecting the vessel in high sea states.


The following two diagrams are renderings of the Baltic patrol vessel but apparently the same configuration is used in the Arctic Patrol Vessel.





Some shots of the modular mission deck.

 

[koxinga]

A question from a non Australian/New Zealander, why does consideration of platform is centered around what Australia does or have, when budgets are tight? Why not, say South Korea?

The Philippines Navy are getting a good deal on their Korean frigates (Miguel Malvar class, USD250mil), plus a number of other assets like OPVs. Comparatively, defense budgets between the Philippines and NZ are somewhat in the same ballpark as well. Anything else could probably be accomdated by the Koreans.

 

[spoz]

Because the Kiwis would like to be interoperable with Australia wherever possible. There are training and other logistics benefits as well as being able to share tactical doctrine. We have a long history of operating together and, given the realities of geography, that will continue. Commonality makes it easier. Although it’s not an absolute requirement as is evidenced by, for example, the differing ANZAC class upgrade paths.

 

[Volkodav]

The RNs Multi Role Strike Ship (MRSS) program could be an interesting option for NZ, especially the more warlike ones with a frigate level combat capability.

The Netherlands are apparently also interested, looking at it as a replacement for the Rotterdam class LPDs and Holland class OPVs.

Such a ship could replace frigates, OPVs, and Canterbury, not just in their existing roles, but also serve as a drone mothership and unscrewed capabilities evolve.

 

[Todjaeger]

A question from a non Australian/New Zealander, why does consideration of platform is centered around what Australia does or have, when budgets are tight? Why not, say South Korea?

The Philippines Navy are getting a good deal on their Korean frigates (Miguel Malvar class, USD250mil), plus a number of other assets like OPVs. Comparatively, defense budgets between the Philippines and NZ are somewhat in the same ballpark as well. Anything else could probably be accomdated by the Koreans.

I agree that the purchase by the Philippine Navy does appear to be a good deal for them, particularly given how long Philippine Navy and their armed forces generally, have struggled to get modern kit.

Having said that, what looks like a good deal for the Philippines does not mean that it would be a good deal for New Zealand. Looking at what specs are available for the Miguel Malvar-class frigate, it appears to be a frigate that is slightly smaller than the RNZN's current ANZAC-class frigates and with a bit less displacement. Further, excepting the inclusion of AShM, the combat capabilities appear to be a bit less. A 76 mm/62 gun vs. the current Mk 45 5"/127 mm, and 16 VL MICA instead of the current 20 Sea Ceptor, so a smaller main gun and fewer short-ranged air defence missiles, which themselves are slightly shorter-ranged at ~20 km vs. ~25 km. Given that I feel the RNZN's frigates are currently under equipped should hostilities break out, going with new vessels that are possibly roughly comparable in capability would only make sense to me if NZ found itself without other options available in terms of getting replacement frigates delivered prior to the current frigates needing to be decommissioned.

Lastly, we have a contract price of some USD$250 mil. (2021 dollars) per vessel. That makes me wonder how overall capable and compatible the weapons, sensors, datalink and CMS fitout is. IIRC the general guideline is that the shipboard electronics, sensors and CMS will usually comprise a third or more of the initial cost of a vessel, and between that and the weapons fitout that can easily equal half the initial purchase price for a vessel. If these ratios hold true for the Miguel Malvar-class frigate as well, then the sensor and CMS fitout likely cost ~USD$80 mil. in 2021 dollars give or take a little. Now IIRC when Australia purchased pieces of Aegis kit from the US for the Hobart-class DDG's around 2007, they were paying something like USD$200 to 250 mil. per vessel, and what was being purchased was not even the full sensor, CMS and shipboard electronics suite.

That large a difference in price, especially given how much time has passed, makes me wonder how well the Philippine frigate's sensors and CMS would perform compared to what NZ or Australia use in their ANZAC-class frigates.

 

[StevoJH]

The RNs Multi Role Strike Ship (MRSS) program could be an interesting option for NZ, especially the more warlike ones with a frigate level combat capability.

The Netherlands are apparently also interested, looking at it as a replacement for the Rotterdam class LPDs and Holland class OPVs.

Such a ship could replace frigates, OPVs, and Canterbury, not just in their existing roles, but also serve as a drone mothership and unscrewed capabilities evolve.

I thought the Netherlands pulled out? Originally they were considering a joint procurement program, but I thought the Dutch pulled out due to the RN wanting a much more robust self defence capability (and hence more expensive platform).

Depending on cost, such a ship would probably be quite ideal for smaller navies as long as the compromises inherent can be minimised.

 

[Volkodav]

I thought the Netherlands pulled out? Originally they were considering a joint procurement program, but I thought the Dutch pulled out due to the RN wanting a much more robust self defence capability (and hence more expensive platform).

Depending on cost, such a ship would probably be quite ideal for smaller navies as long as the compromises inherent can be minimised.

Smaller navies can benefit from optioning up and procuring bespoke, improved versions of designs developed for major navies.

The existing design and its core architecture and systems, with extra capability inserted to fulfil roles the larger navy has specific platforms for.