Royal New Zealand Navy plans

The Royal New Zealand Navy has several long-term projects to retain and update its capabilities for the future.

Current planning framework

Defence White Paper

The Defence White Paper was released by the New Zealand Government in November 2010. Policy intentions include:

Short term (next five years):

• Naval Combat Force: Self-defence upgrade for the existing Anzac class frigates.
• Replacement of HMNZS Endeavour. The navy has indicated a desire for a multi role logistics vessel.
• Upgrade or replacement of the Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite.
• Replacement of HMNZS Manawanui and HMNZS Resolution with a single Littoral Warfare Support Ship.

Beyond five years

• Replacement of the Anzac frigates that will take account of the wider range of naval combat options expected to be available then.

Other proposals

• Consider an upgrade of the armament and sensors on Ocean Patrol Craft and Inshore Patrol Craft.

Long-Term Development Plan (LTDP)

Is a planning tool to enable decisions on defence acquisitions to be taken in the context of the Government’s defence policy, the priority of projects and affordability. This LTDP contains a comprehensive list of projects, with preliminary costing, timings, and priorities. The LTDP has a rolling forward focus of 10 years and was constructed as an active document and was last updated in 2008. Since the last update the New Zealand government released its Defence White Paper in late 2010.

The LTDP:

• Describes major acquisition projects required over the next 10 years to provide military capabilities that meet the Government’s defence policy objectives;

• Reflects relative priorities of the projects, measured against the Government’s defence policy and security needs and interests;

• Works within agreed financial limitations; and

• Sets out planning and decision-making processes incorporating management of both operational and financial risks to ensure that investment in defence provides best value for money.

The LTDP sets out several categories of projects. These are:

• Projects Approved in Principle by Government
• Projects Necessary to Avoid the Failure of Policy
• Projects Necessary to Provide a Well-Equipped Land Force
• Projects Necessary to Avoid Significant Risks to Policy
• Projects that have Benefit but are Less Critical to Achieving Policy Objectives

Allocation of a project to a particular category does not necessarily reflect the order in which they will be started.

System and platform upgrades

Projects necessary to avoid the failure of policy

Anzac Self-Defence Upgrade This project proposes 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.

Torpedo Replacement This project proposes to replace the torpedoes for the Anzac frigates, P-3 Orions and SH-2G Seasprite helicopters to maintain the Anzac's basic self-defence capability against sub-surface threats and the P-3's area anti-submarine capability.

Projects that have benefit but are less critical to achieving policy objectives

Remote Mine Detection The Maritime Forces Review identified a requirement to protect New Zealand's major ports by developing a capacity to detect and dispose of mines and other explosives underwater. The Review concluded that the mine countermeasures role should be retained. The capability of the Navy to detect mine-like objects is becoming increasingly difficult as current equipment reaches the end of its economical life. Upgrading this capability would significantly improve the safety of personnel and ships over the current inadequate, emergency only, systems.

External links

• Royal New Zealand Navy
• Project Protector