Royal New Zealand Navy Discussions and Updates
- Thread starter Padman
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StevoJH
The Bunker Group
Unfortunately the two ANZAC class frigates owned by the RNZN are equipped with a tactical length Mk.41 VLS rather then the Sylver A70 VLS system that is required for firing SCALP N.
I was under the impression that the Project Protector fleet were designed and built mostly for EEZ patrols and peace keeping, not wars. As far as the usefulness of the Canterbury, the country and navy are no worse off than using a civilian merchant ship, which aren't built for war fighting either.
I have said many times, if New Zealand wanted warships, they should have bought frigates, not OPVs. The USCG Resolution class of medium endurance cutters have 25-mm gun mounts as well. While the Resolutions will be replaced in the next decade with larger cutters and gun mount, the present Resolutions have been around for up to forty years. Its plenty for EEZ patrols.
Why not google images for the Project Protector fleet? I believe that only the OPVs had designs drawings, or architectural floor plans. But one can easily see how IPVs could have been drawn with the new USCG architectural floor plans of the NRC, new response cutter. Keep in mind most navies don't like to reveal information that accurate to anyone.
Notice the speech marks around the word 'battle" Toby. Its called irony. It does not negate the fact that legal action between the Crown and Tenix (BAE) will be front and centre over the next year or two. The question is will it be heard in New Zealand or Australian courts.
Do you really think this is going to be resolved in the courts? Negotiations with BAE and the NZ government will achieve much better results. Considering the Cowes Report blasts the government as well as Tenix, I wouldn't expect any resolution in the courts.
Here is a link to the NZ OPV design drawings.
http://www.akeryardsmarine.com/pdf/PV85-br-web.pdf
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VTF workers are currently modifying both PS and SB boat alcove davits to accept the new RHIB's and also installing line tensioners to the davits. We sail next week on wedensday and will be at sea for the reamainder of the year until our annual leave period over the christmas period. The first quater of next year also has some sea time planned and then the second quater is when the remainder of the warranty issues will be sort (stability, lcms, boat aloves etc)Great news , Is the ME team working on both sides of the ship and when do you think the other zodiac will arrive ?
You guys need to be at sea , youve been tied up at devenport for too long
At the moment we are currently being internally assesed for proceeding to sea and have encountered no issues thus far to prevent us from going to sea.
As for the other RHIB, it is being shiped over so not too sure on its arrival date. We only have the one RHIB at the moment and are allowed to proceed to sea with the one sea boat
The plan is that we will need need to go to court, the warranty and contract claim issues are drawing to a close and negotiations between the MoD and BaE are soon to begin a more formal phase which if need be will also include mediation from an independant third party. If this does go as far as the court rooms, delays will go into the years, I would expect that this would be the last resort in everyones mind as credibility, reputations and business are at stake, and will be a largley costly endevour
Yes protector is largley planned for EEZ use and multi agency co-operation with other goverment and civilian agencies. Each vessel has dedicated billits for this and even kennels for dogs.
With that being said, they where also designed with overseas deployment and inter-operability in mind as to assist other more "involved" taskings
Agree that most navys would never allow the plans of their ships to be posted on the web, but with the OPV plans being online and somebody telling greenie that the IPV and MRV plans where on this site I thought I would ask anyway. I have pored over the OPV plans previously and I think they will be great boats when they iron out the problems.
So much so as I have said before I want two for the RAN for southern ocean patrol ...when they work out the sea keeping and ice strengthening problems of course.
I agree, the OPVs are going to be great offshore patrol vessels, similar to the Irish Roisins. I believe their endurance is planned for 21 days. I am sure they will be useful for many roles in the South Pacific. But they won't be welcomed by anyone in the Persian Gulf, not the Americans, not the British, and not by any Arab nation. A 25-mm gun is no match to a 76-mm gun, all of the Arab nation's fast attack craft have either Harpoons or Exocets, the New Zealand OPVs none. Many of the Arab fast attack craft have CIWS, the New Zealand OPVs none. Please don't confuse an OPV with a frigate, much less a corvette.
StevoJH
The Bunker Group
Yes, well, considering that there is no threat in the South Pacific requiring the immediate presence of the ANZAC's, with the addition of the OPV's, they are free'ed up for duty in the middle east.
I dont know how true it is (you take everything you here with a large grain of salt !)but I remember while doing a fleet board exam the Two n a half testing me was talking about a another seperate budget to upgrade the OPVs once in service,adding extra air search and weapons systems such as CWIS/mini typhoon , Can only hope.Weight might override this one.
For a ship of its size, adding a modest air search radar and a CWIS/mini T IMHO weight would be a minimal issue.I dont know how true it is (you take everything you here with a large grain of salt !)but I remember while doing a fleet board exam the Two n a half testing me was talking about a another seperate budget to upgrade the OPVs once in service,adding extra air search and weapons systems such as CWIS/mini typhoon , Can only hope.Weight might override this one.
While the mini Typhoon may be a better weapon, its effectiveness is almost matched by the 12.5-mm guns already on the bridge wings. The 25-mm gun up front is almost as effective as a 20-mm CIWS. The OPVs have plenty of armaments for EEZ patrols and South Pacific operations.
Even with upgrading the weapons, I still wouldn't welcome them in the Persian Gulf. As I said before, 25-mm is no match to a 76-mm. or larger gun.
Yes, the Anzacs are the ships to send to the Persian Gulf. And their upcoming mid life refits will be key so that they can continue to be sent to the Gulf. The OPVs do allow New Zealand to send their frigates abroad.
As I said before, the OPVs will be wonderful patrol ships in the South Pacific. They are strong enough for fishery patrol, SAS insertion, fight pirates, and/or drug smugglers. They can carry divers and use their helicopters to board cruise ships as well as cargo ships against terrorists. They will have the space to rescue scores of illegal entry boat people and the clout to turn the boat people back, if not tow them back. They will be useful in showing the flag, as far as Hawaii, Australia, even Singapore if not further. New Zealand bought them to do the above, not to fight fast attack craft in the Persian Gulf.
And I agree, Australia could use a few OPVs as well. A few mind you, not a dozen. Not at the expense of a frigate navy.
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Totally agree with what you are saying. Theses boats are great for what they are designed to do I.E police the south pacific's low threat environment. All I was saying in respone to an earlier question is that I believe they would have sufficent space/weight for a modest air search radar and CIWS/mini T.
Agree that they dont need a CIWS and Mini T while nice to have not essential
As for OPV's for the Australia I would only want two for southern patrol and they would not be part of the RAN. Man them with a civilian crew and Customs boarding parties just like the current southern ocean patrol ship. Navy might have to provide some support such as a Helicopter flight then again maybe that could be out sourced as well.
I so agree with both of the above replys. The OPVs are armed ok for the southern pacific . My only addition would be a simple Air search radar , maybe the same one could be also fitted to the MRV, if you carry a helo you should have one if nothing else for their safety/protection.The ships have more than enough space above and below, only the weight prob again.I wonder how much it is over?