Here is an interesting interview with the first RCN AOPV CO that describes pretty well the capabilities of the HDW class, as well as how the RCN intends to use them: Interview with Cdr Corey L.E. Gleason, Commanding Officer of the future HMCS Harry DeWolf
Based on the interview and what we know about this ship it would seem to fit the NZ requirements quite nicely. The only issue would be one of timing, as the Irving shipyard where these are being built will deliver the eighth and final AOPV (actually, 7 and 8 will be variants for the Canadian Coast Guard) in 2022, with the first steel due to be cut on the Canadian T26 variant (CSC) in 2023. The CSC will occupy that yard until well into the 2030s. NZ could purchase the design of course, and have it built elsewhere, but a one-off build, even in the the super-efficient Korean yards, would be riskier and probably more expensive than getting one from Irving. So, while the HDW might seem like a good fit, it may simply not be an option if NZ is looking for an SOPV around 2025.
Based on the interview and what we know about this ship it would seem to fit the NZ requirements quite nicely. The only issue would be one of timing, as the Irving shipyard where these are being built will deliver the eighth and final AOPV (actually, 7 and 8 will be variants for the Canadian Coast Guard) in 2022, with the first steel due to be cut on the Canadian T26 variant (CSC) in 2023. The CSC will occupy that yard until well into the 2030s. NZ could purchase the design of course, and have it built elsewhere, but a one-off build, even in the the super-efficient Korean yards, would be riskier and probably more expensive than getting one from Irving. So, while the HDW might seem like a good fit, it may simply not be an option if NZ is looking for an SOPV around 2025.
Last edited: