SOPV (or now SOPPV?) features in the recent "RFI: Industry Engagement Maritime Fleet Market Research for the Defence Capability Plan". It has its own reference as part of the "Future Fleet Characteristics" sections
2.7 Southern Ocean & Polar Patrol
2.7.1 New Zealand has interests within the Southern Ocean which are protected and promoted through the Antarctic Treaty system governance framework, including by undertaking maritime monitoring and surveillance in the Ross Sea region to support implementation of CCAMLR
rules.2 The current Naval Tanker HMNZS Aotearoa has the ability to operate in the Ross Sea, although it was designed for a specific resupply mission of the Scott and McMurdo scientific research bases. For the final approaches to McMurdo base, Aotearoa requires ice breaker support.
Additional capabilities to conduct patrol operations in the Southern Ocean and Polar Region would be beneficial to meet current Government policy objectives in this area. These capabilities would need to be able to operate independently in the Ross Sea during the Antarctic summer months (October – February). It may not be practical to be able to operate over this entire period considering environmental conditions and opportunities for replenishment but patrol capabilities should aim to cover as much of this time period as possible. Specific patrol capabilities that would be an advantage are:
(a) The ability to detect, track, and record data of vessels and aircraft in this area;
(b) The ability to keep pace with vessels; and
(c) The ability to board vessels (where legally allowed).
Having suitable long range and endurance will be important as it will affect time on operations. Replenishment at sea opportunities may be infrequent (i.e. whilst a southern patrol may coincide with the naval tanker conducting a supply run to and from McMurdo base, the naval tanker is unlikely to be tasked with accompanying the Southern Ocean & Polar Patrol vessel for ongoing support (like it does with the naval combat vessels) due to its other demands. Plus weather and sea conditions could be factor at the time of potential rendezvous opportunities. So my thoughts are a vessel fit for purpose designed for the Southern Ocean is a more likely probability.
The Southern Ocean & Polar Patrol capabilities largely align with that of vessels undertaking "Maritime Security Operations" (i.e. patrol, eg, in the Pacific). MSO vessels are tasked to operate in benign or low threat environments and with appropriate "defensive capabilities" so presumably this applies to the Southern Ocean & Polar Patrol capability as well.
2.4 Maritime Security Operations
2.4.1 There are a range of maritime security operation roles undertaken by the NZDF, sometimes in collaboration with other New Zealand Government agencies. These would typically be in either benign or low threat environments, so defensive capabilities should be appropriate to operate in these environments.
2.4.2 Other capabilities that typically contribute to these roles are:
(a) The endurance for prolonged time on station to patrol a maritime area;
(b) The ability to detect, track, and keep pace with vessels; and
(c) The ability to board vessels for inspection of illegal activity.
FYI the "Future Fleet Characteristics" sections are as follows (the bolded parts are the capabilities required):
2.1 Maritime Fleet Capabilities
2.2 Future Fleet Configuration
2.3 Naval Combat
2.4 Maritime Security Operations
2.5 Sealift / Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR)
2.6 Intelligence, Survellience and Reconnaissance (ISR)
2.7 Southern Ocean & Polar Patrol
2.8 Replenishment
2.9 Littoral Operation Support
2.10 Remotely Operated and Autonomous Uncrewed Assets
2.11 Personnel Considerations
2.12 Maritime Operating Environment and Endurance
2.13 Seaworthiness and Certification
2.14 Minimising Environmental impact
2.15 Through Life Support
2.16 Acquisition and Whole of Life Costs
2.17 Existing NZDF Capabilities
2.18 Existing NZDF Infrastructure
2.19 NZ Industry
Hat tip to NgatiMozart for the info recently (the forum word count prevents posting these in more detail within this post).