Govt confirms new tanker for Navy

Press, 16 July 1987, Page 3

Govt confirms new tanker for Navy

Political reporter The replacement of the Royal New Zealand Navy’s four frigates and the acquisition of a support ship were confirmed by the Government yesterday. In a move foreshadowed by the Defence Review released last February, the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, said that the new naval programme expanded and modernised the Navy. The Defence White Paper had said this was central to New Zealand’s defence efforts in the South Pacific. A tanker, being built in South Korea, is the first vessel which will be put into service. H.M.N.Z.S. Endeavour is due for delivery by the end of the year at a cost of $27.7 million. The Acting Minister of Defence, Mr Colman, said the tanker was needed to

cover a gap in the Navy’s capabilities. The next vessel in the modernisation and expansion programme will be a multi-purpose logistic support ship. The Government has directed the Ministry of Defence to do initial design work, and to let contracts for the construction or conversion of a vessel. The ship would have a range of about 8000 nautical miles and be able to carry a company (130 troops) and equipment and supplies for a larger force. Two helicopters would be carried. A facility to carry munitions to replenish combat ships would be included. Mr Lange said the Army’s Ready Reaction Force had been hampered by the lack of a logistic vessel. “The development of that role has been restricted because the means to

deploy and support the force other than by air has been lacking.” An important factor in giving priority to the logistic support ship was its likely use during civil emergencies in New Zealand and abroad, particularly assisting island nations. “Experience shows that helicopter capacity, communications and medical facilities along with the ability to land relief supplies are invaluable in responding to natural disasters,” said Mr Lange. The biggest element of the naval improvement programme is the phased replacement of the four Navy frigates during the 1980 s. New Zealand defence staff are working with the Australian authorities, shortlisting designs for a vessel suitable for both navies. A decision will later be

made on whether a joint building programme will be undertaken. The four Leader-class frigates were built between 1963 and 1971. The two older ships — H.M.N.Z.S. Waikato and H.M.N.S. Southland — will be phased out early in the 1990 s andd the Canterbury and Wellington at the turn of the century. These vessels were designed for European use and have a range of only 2500 nautical miles. While this range will be extended by the use of the new tanker H.M.N.Z.S. Endeavour, the replacements for the frigates will have a range of 6000 nautical miles. They will have a capability of 24 knots, a torpedo system and a missile system for defence against air or missile attack.