Royal New Zealand Navy plans

The Defence White Paper was released by the New Zealand Government in June 2016.[1] Policy intentions regarding the replacement of existing ships are contained in the Defence White Paper and the 2016 Defence Capability Plan.[2] Plans out to 2030 include:

Short term - (Next 0-4 years):

• Naval Combat Force:
  • Anzac Self-Defence Upgrade: This project seeks to upgrade the Anzac frigates' self-defence systems to protect the Naval Combat Force against increasingly sophisticated anti-ship systems and to address equipment obsolescence. Lockheed Martin Canada (LMC) was awarded a contract on 29 April 2014 for the design and supply of the Combat Management System for each ANZAC Class Frigate along with the supply and integration of various sensors, missile system and a Combat System Trainer for the Devonport Naval Base in Auckland.[3] The RNZN plans to replace its RIM7P NATO Seasparrow missiles with the Sea Ceptor, active Common Anti-Air Modular Missile (Maritime) - CAMM(M).[4]
  • ANZAC Frigate Communications Upgrade
  • Close in Weapons System Upgrade
• Naval Patrol Force: The acquisition of an ice strengthened Ocean Patrol Vessel in support of operations in the Southern Ocean and Antarctic. A detailed business case is expected in 2018.
• Replacement of HMNZS Endeavour with an ice strengthened Tanker to support New Zealand's contribution to research in Antarctic. On 18 July 2016 the Minister of Defence announced that Hyundai Heavy Industries of South Korea had been awarded a contract for NZ$493,000,000 for the purchase of a new 23,000t tanker. The new tanker will be ice strengthened with winterisation features. The ship will be named HMNZS Aotearoa, and is due for delivery in 2020.[5][6]
• Replacement of HMNZS Manawanui and HMNZS Resolution with a single Littoral Operations Support Vessel. It is expected that the vessel will also increase the range of operations the Defence Force can undertake independently in the South Pacific, and add depth to its maritime surveillance and sea transport capabilities. The vessel would also provide an additional deployment option for international coalition operations.[7] In May 2017 the Ministry of Defence advised Tenderers of a likely downgrade in the project. [8] On 13 December 2017 the Minister of Defence Ron Mark announced that due to cost blowouts with the ANZAC Self-Defence Upgrade a contemporary, off-the-shelf commercial dive and hydrographic vessel will be procured, rather than a more advanced, specifically designed military vessel. [9] On 27 March 2018 the Ministry of Defence publicly notified that the Littoral Warship Ship program had been closed. [10] The February 2018 edition of Navy Today noted that a decision on a replacement for Manawauni was likely in the short term, with the replacement commissioned by the end of 2018. [11] In June 2019, a converted ship named HMNZS Manawanui commissioned to take on a more limited littoral support role.[12][13][14]
• Upgrades to Devonport Naval Base: Improvements to the ship loading area between 2017 and 2019.

Medium to Long Term

• Begin initial planning for the replacement of the Anzac frigates with new combatant vessels. A detailed business case is expected by 2023.
• The offshore patrol vessels HMNZS Wellington and HMNZS Otago, to be modernised through a midlife upgrade. Estimated business case expected in 2023.
• The logistics support ship HMNZS Canterbury to be equipped with new landing craft and modernised through a midlife upgrade. Estimated business case expected in 2021.
• Upgrades to Devonport Naval Base: The proposal includes improvements to the dockyard workshops between 2021 and 2024, extending Calliope Wharf between 2022 and 2025 and waterside operations and offices between 2023 and 2025. Upgrade of Naval Base Accommodation and offices spaces are also planned.
• Torpedo Replacement

Other proposals

• Phasing out of the inshore patrol craft. The December 2017 Navy Today at Page 16 announced that the navy was bringing all 4 IPV into service[15]. Two of the IPV had been kept at extended notice / in reserve for a number of years.