Royal New Zealand Navy Discussions and Updates
- Thread starter Padman
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recce.k1
Well-Known Member
It's a bit ironic that Canterbury uplifted the 4 Hueys from Samoa late Aug (they would have been helpful now, if they happened to still be there, to locate people washed out to sea, drop off supplies and for medical evacuations etc). According to the PR link the Canterbury is back in NZ.
RNZN - HMNZS CANTERBURY DELIVERS VEHICLES AND STORES TO DILI, TIMOR LESTE
Like the Indonesian tsunami where helos played an important role, surely it would make sense to send some Hueys back now and load up the Canty with Army and civilian engineering equipment for the post-disaster reconstruction and to remove the debris in the interim, plus to use the on board hospital etc. Would make a good command/coordination centre etc. Let's see what the Govt does I suppose.
RNZN - HMNZS CANTERBURY DELIVERS VEHICLES AND STORES TO DILI, TIMOR LESTE
Like the Indonesian tsunami where helos played an important role, surely it would make sense to send some Hueys back now and load up the Canty with Army and civilian engineering equipment for the post-disaster reconstruction and to remove the debris in the interim, plus to use the on board hospital etc. Would make a good command/coordination centre etc. Let's see what the Govt does I suppose.
Canterbury is not due out of maintenace for another2 weeks, and last Saturday I saw her with th large Sat dome removed & scaffolding up. Not sure what's being done on her but accordign to this link she's being made ready in case neded.
NZDF - NZDF personnel deploy to Samoa
recce.k1
Well-Known Member
No doubt she's being made ready 
And by coincidence NZDF undertook a big earthquake disaster relief exercise last month.
NZDF - Disaster relief skills tested
They used Manfield stadium (a recently built large multipurpose building) as a mock up of the Canterbury, to unload/load etc.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-sta...ald/2844783/Preparing-for-earthquake-disaster
LAV's were used (mind you, seeing they were handy being based locally etc), but wonder if any of the engineering LAV's (with blade) will head over to Samoa on the Cantry to get thru rubble etc? Would be a good test for them.
With their recent exercises it would be great for the NZDF if they could readily react with Canterbury etc.
By another coincidence two RAAF C130's are in NZ on training and one took a NZ Huey over to Samoa today (and another will leave tomorrow). All go with the air forces as one would expect - RAAF C17 and RNZAF 757 on the move too. USGC C130 too (from what I saw on tv news).
And by coincidence NZDF undertook a big earthquake disaster relief exercise last month.
NZDF - Disaster relief skills tested
They used Manfield stadium (a recently built large multipurpose building) as a mock up of the Canterbury, to unload/load etc.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-sta...ald/2844783/Preparing-for-earthquake-disaster
LAV's were used (mind you, seeing they were handy being based locally etc), but wonder if any of the engineering LAV's (with blade) will head over to Samoa on the Cantry to get thru rubble etc? Would be a good test for them.
With their recent exercises it would be great for the NZDF if they could readily react with Canterbury etc.
By another coincidence two RAAF C130's are in NZ on training and one took a NZ Huey over to Samoa today (and another will leave tomorrow). All go with the air forces as one would expect - RAAF C17 and RNZAF 757 on the move too. USGC C130 too (from what I saw on tv news).
Hey mattyem whats the talk about the new ship & how they handle not much info in the Navy website on how they are performing I know they would of been in some pretty ruff wheather in the past couple of months
New Zealand was able to button up the Canterbury to sail to Samoa and Tonga after the recent earthquake and tsunami. Appears she is being a great New Zealand asset for humanitarian assistance we knew she would.
From the lack of controversy one can only assume the IPVs have been wonderful as well. Appears their delivery was held up waiting for Zodiacs to replace their Gemini RHIBs.
Which leaves the two OPVs to be delivered. Surely, by now, their Zodiacs have arrived. Outside of being overweight and their ice strengthening was botched, I have not heard of any other major problems. The last I heard was they are to be delivered before the end of the year. Its now late October... I wonder what is holding them up? I suspect we'll hear of their delivery dates soon...
From the lack of controversy one can only assume the IPVs have been wonderful as well. Appears their delivery was held up waiting for Zodiacs to replace their Gemini RHIBs.
Which leaves the two OPVs to be delivered. Surely, by now, their Zodiacs have arrived. Outside of being overweight and their ice strengthening was botched, I have not heard of any other major problems. The last I heard was they are to be delivered before the end of the year. Its now late October... I wonder what is holding them up? I suspect we'll hear of their delivery dates soon...
Next Generation of RNZN vessels
The next vessels to be replaced are:
HMNZS Endeavour (to be retired c.2013)
HMNZS Manawanui (commissioned 1988)
HMNZS Resolution (commisioned the first time 1989)
It seems without a game changing policy departure of the Australian defence review type, there won't be any significant change in vessel numbers in the RNZN. Discussion would therefore most fruitfully dwell on vessels requiring replacement. If there can't be an increase in numbers, maybe an increase in capability is more possible.
It would be nice to see Endeavour replaced by a mini JSS style ship able to carry out some of the replenishment and humanitarian functions of Canterbury (not the patrol duties). I wonder if the current government might see fit to make the replacement for Resolution more in the OPV mould, an evolved Protector or a test-bed OCV.
Does anyone have any ideas for the replacement dive tender and any possible design synergies with current Project Protector hulls?
The next vessels to be replaced are:
HMNZS Endeavour (to be retired c.2013)
HMNZS Manawanui (commissioned 1988)
HMNZS Resolution (commisioned the first time 1989)
It seems without a game changing policy departure of the Australian defence review type, there won't be any significant change in vessel numbers in the RNZN. Discussion would therefore most fruitfully dwell on vessels requiring replacement. If there can't be an increase in numbers, maybe an increase in capability is more possible.
It would be nice to see Endeavour replaced by a mini JSS style ship able to carry out some of the replenishment and humanitarian functions of Canterbury (not the patrol duties). I wonder if the current government might see fit to make the replacement for Resolution more in the OPV mould, an evolved Protector or a test-bed OCV.
Does anyone have any ideas for the replacement dive tender and any possible design synergies with current Project Protector hulls?
When you look at what the Spanish are doing with their BAMs, I am sure something similar can be done with the NZ OPV. May require losing the helicopter hangar and deck for weight, but surely there will be room aft to design a diving tender, or a minehunter version, much less a hydropgraphic version. May even design a patrol ship version similar to the Irish Rosins without a helicopter deck and hangar as well. In the past New Zealand with their previous patrol ships they were able to design one as a diving tender.
No idea about designs but this editorial from May2009 'Navy Today' magazine shows much of Navy's thinking on future fleet...
RNZN - Yours Aye
Off note - suggestion 1 vessel could replace Manawanui and Resolution !?!
"...Our diving tender Manawanui and hydrographic survey ship Resolution are also nearing the end of their operational lives. We need to investigate what might replace them in the form of a ship to deploy diving, mine countermeasures and inshore hydrographic capability...."
Off note HMNZS Kahu has just been decommissioned at rather short notice (Govt cost cutting blamed, but not confirmed!), so backup dive-support vessel has gone!
Regarding Endeavour - Navy have previously expressed a desire for something similar to Canterbury but with a full RAS capability - effctively a 'JSS' concept.
Anyway it's all early days - especially given that the defence review will be out next year & give a clearer indication of what the future fleet may look like.
StevoJH
The Bunker Group
For mine hunters I suppose they could order a couple of Huon class Mine Hunters from Australia. They are already in service, so it would be a completely off the shelf purchase. An option off the OPV's already delivered (they are modified Rosin class?) would be to remove the ice strengthening from the design and build a few more?
Why not just buy the Huons. Atleast lease one and find out if its what you want.
One has been in reserve (may just have come out), new, good, not heavily used and soonish to be replaced by the OCV. Im sure the AuGov would like to find a local buyer for these.
One has been in reserve (may just have come out), new, good, not heavily used and soonish to be replaced by the OCV. Im sure the AuGov would like to find a local buyer for these.
StevoJH
The Bunker Group
I thought they put a couple in reserve then decided they needed them as OPV's and pulled them back out? Oh, and they are almost brand new still, they wont be retired anytime soon, even if OPC/OPV's are built.
I dunno, I did hear they were being used as OPV. If I was the Ausgov I would be relocating them up north to help with patrol boats. They are quiet good boats with loads of life (not infinate they are fiberglass).
I don't know if the OCV will replace the Huon or the Patrol boats. They both have so much life left in them and are both very good boats. Maybe they will gift some to pacific island nations..
NZ is in the pacific isn't it?
:
StevoJH
The Bunker Group
LOLI dunno, I did hear they were being used as OPV. If I was the Ausgov I would be relocating them up north to help with patrol boats. They are quiet good boats with loads of life (not infinate they are fiberglass).
I don't know if the OCV will replace the Huon or the Patrol boats. They both have so much life left in them and are both very good boats. Maybe they will gift some to pacific island nations..
NZ is in the pacific isn't it?
What ended up happening to those two catamaran things that the Huon's replaced?
Todjaeger
Potstirrer
IIRC the MHI (Minehunter, Inshore) had the MCM kit removed and was then sold for use as private yachts. Unfortunately, the name of the MHI's escapes me at present, though Shoalwater and Rushcutter come to mind.
-Cheers
Multi-National Mine exercise - live ordnance disposal
NZDF - Naval ships depart for mine exercise in Noumea
Intersting - excellent training opportunity.
NZDF - Naval ships depart for mine exercise in Noumea
Intersting - excellent training opportunity.
You are correct with those names. They were to be a class of 6 but when the first two turned out to be lemons the last four where cancelled
Is Resolution really the MCM asset?:crazy
Ah, the wonders of modern MCM equipment!
Remotely operated equipment like RNZN's REMUS AUV & Sea-Eye Falcon ROV mean you can turn up & perform credible MCM activity without needing a dedicated MCMV. This way youcan deploy MCM equipment from any vessel in the fleet & operate at a safe distance from the threat!
Such equipment allows smaller Navies like RNZN to afford MCM capability - something RNZN is still re-generating.
So no - as stated Resolution is a survey vessel & Manawanui is a (very capable) dive-support vessel - both quite relevant assets for this exercise!
And much of the mine countermeasures gear can be containerized and stored on an aft workdeck of OPVs thereby making OPVs useful replacements for dedicated mine countermeasures vessels. Currently New Zealand is using a small diving tender and a hydrographic ship's aft workdecks. Its this flexibility that is the root for the US Navy's LCS.
Remote control vehicles, whether tethered to a submersible, or as a radio controlled aircraft, is the wave of the future. In the past mine countermeasures vessels were the most expensive, ton per ton. Not so anymore.