Post by corsair67 on Nov 20, 2006 14:54:00 GMT 12
HMNZS Otago launched in Sydney
The first of New Zealand's offshore patrol vessels, the HMNZS Otago, was launched in Sydney on Saturday 18 November.
Among those attending this event were Chief of the RNZN, Rear Admiral David Ledson, New Zealand's Defence Minister Phil Goff, Dame Silvia Cartwright, and Vice Chief of the Australian Defence Force, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie. The Hon Phil Goff made the following speech:
Ministers, the Hon. Andre Haermeyer and the Hon. Bruce Billson, New Zealand High Commissioner John Larkindale, Tenix CEO Robert Salteri, Dame Silvia Cartwright, Chiefs of Navy, Rear Admiral David Ledson and Vice Admiral Russ Shalders, and Vice Chief of the Australian Defence Force Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
The launch of HMNZS OTAGO, the first of New Zealand’s two new offshore patrol vessels, marks an important step forward for the Royal New Zealand Navy.
It is appropriate that the launch should occur here alongside the largest of the Navy's new ships, the multi-role vessel HMNZS CANTERBURY, and that members of CANTERBURY's crew are here to witness this occasion. From the year 2000, the New Zealand Government’s goal has been to build a modern and well equipped defence force to meet the contemporary needs of New Zealand.
This includes the need to protect our sovereignty, secure our borders, protect New Zealand from terrorist and transnational criminal activity and to guard our resources as well as meet civil needs such as search and rescue and disaster relief. The commitment of over $3.3 billion on new equipment through the Long Term Development Plan will enable the Defence Force to meet these objectives.
The first of New Zealand's offshore patrol vessels, the HMNZS Otago, was launched in Sydney on Saturday 18 November.
Among those attending this event were Chief of the RNZN, Rear Admiral David Ledson, New Zealand's Defence Minister Phil Goff, Dame Silvia Cartwright, and Vice Chief of the Australian Defence Force, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie. The Hon Phil Goff made the following speech:
Ministers, the Hon. Andre Haermeyer and the Hon. Bruce Billson, New Zealand High Commissioner John Larkindale, Tenix CEO Robert Salteri, Dame Silvia Cartwright, Chiefs of Navy, Rear Admiral David Ledson and Vice Admiral Russ Shalders, and Vice Chief of the Australian Defence Force Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
The launch of HMNZS OTAGO, the first of New Zealand’s two new offshore patrol vessels, marks an important step forward for the Royal New Zealand Navy.
It is appropriate that the launch should occur here alongside the largest of the Navy's new ships, the multi-role vessel HMNZS CANTERBURY, and that members of CANTERBURY's crew are here to witness this occasion. From the year 2000, the New Zealand Government’s goal has been to build a modern and well equipped defence force to meet the contemporary needs of New Zealand.
This includes the need to protect our sovereignty, secure our borders, protect New Zealand from terrorist and transnational criminal activity and to guard our resources as well as meet civil needs such as search and rescue and disaster relief. The commitment of over $3.3 billion on new equipment through the Long Term Development Plan will enable the Defence Force to meet these objectives.
