3rd OPV

[macnz]

point noted frankly.

The CMS may not be the complexity that is driving up the cost of these vessels. It seems there was already some questions over the inflated project design costs associated with this class, given the vessels are a derivative of the Norwegian Coast Guard: NoCGV Svalbard hull which were built for NOK$500m (>USD$100m) back in 2002.

www.cbc.ca/news/politics/shipbuilding-contract-holds-250m-mystery-1.1300816

To be PC4 or better, I agree the vessel, NZ acquires, will have to at least be 100+ meters in length and at least 6,000 tonnage to meet the classification and mission.

Did the ministry mention the delivery window? Curious, because talking a new build is likely to be 3-4 years from announcement, that implies the imperative and raison d'être for the '3rd OPV' has changed from 2016/17 - when it was originally conceived to be needed by 2020 for sustainment.

POI: New build custom-built ice breaker - RSV Nyuina, has a displacement of 23,800 tonnes is 156 metres and being built in Romania. Announced in 2015, construction started June 1 2017, is said to have cost Australia AUD$1b (AUD$500m construction, $500m service lifetime maintenance contract). The RSV Nyuina replaces the Aurora Australis. The icebreaker is to be operational in 2020, home-ported in Hobart for 30-year operational lifespan.



Source: www.antarctica.gov.au/icebreaker

[nighthawknz]

AN ICE–STRENGTHENED OCEAN PATROL VESSEL (OcPV) FOR THE RNZN

The NZDF Capability Plan 2018 described future NZDF Antarctic operations:

‘As demand increases and resources elsewhere are depleted, international interest in the Southern Ocean’s fisheries, and the risk of illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing, is expected to increase. Patrolling the Southern Ocean is therefore a high priority. Increased human activity is occurring on the Antarctic continent, in particular scientific expeditions and tourism.

‘The Government will continue to support its international obligations to protect the environment, and respond to search and rescue incidents. Over the last decade, there has been an increase in the number and scope of Defence Force air and maritime operations in the Southern Ocean and Antarctic.

‘The Defence Force currently operates two offshore patrol vessels. The 2016 Defence White Paper identified the need to ice-strengthen the planned third offshore patrol vessel.

The procurement of this vessel will improve the Defence Force’s ability to conduct patrols in the Southern Ocean. Operations will be able to occur across a wider range of ice conditions than are possible with the present offshore patrol vessel fleet.

‘The White Paper determined that the proposed naval tanker currently under contract (NUSHIP AOTEAROA to be delivered early 2020) be ice strengthened, reflecting the increasing importance of supporting New Zealand’s civilian presence in Antarctica. Ice-strengthening will enable the tanker to conduct summer resupply operations to the Antarctic. Resupply operations are of particular value for the delivery of fuel to support New Zealand and partner operations on the continent, including through the Joint Logistics Pool. Antarctic operations are also a key consideration for the Future Air Mobility project.’

This information has been supplemented by the NZDF’s unclassified Statement of Intent for the Period 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2021 which has declared the NZDF will acquire an OcPV similar to the current two 85 metre OPVs, HMNZS OTAGO and HMNZS WELLINGTON, but they have a limited ability to operate near Antarctica. They are rated at category Ice Clas 1C – First year ice to a depth of 400mm only.

During this four-year period 2018-2021 the Defence Force will allocate resources to the acquisition project for an ice–strengthened OcPV, and provide for additional personnel and support mechanisms to integrate the vessel with the two current Offshore Patrol Vessels into the Fleet.

Increasing the capacity of the Naval Patrol Force will enhance the Defence Force’s contribution to all–of–government efforts to secure borders, observe and record maritime activities and manage marine resources.

Naval Patrol Forces will also render support to search and rescue operations, maritime counter– terrorism operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

It's the second article on the page after the article about rocket lab

 asiapacificdefencereporter.com/successful-nz-space-launch-by-rocket-lab-nuship-aotearoa/

[gibbo]

Jan 8, 2019 22:20:13 GMT 12 nighthawknz said:

AN ICE–STRENGTHENED OCEAN PATROL VESSEL (OcPV) FOR THE RNZN

The NZDF Capability Plan 2018 described future NZDF Antarctic operations:

‘As demand increases and resources elsewhere are depleted, international interest in the Southern Ocean’s fisheries, and the risk of illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing, is expected to increase. Patrolling the Southern Ocean is therefore a high priority. Increased human activity is occurring on the Antarctic continent, in particular scientific expeditions and tourism.

‘The Government will continue to support its international obligations to protect the environment, and respond to search and rescue incidents. Over the last decade, there has been an increase in the number and scope of Defence Force air and maritime operations in the Southern Ocean and Antarctic.

‘The Defence Force currently operates two offshore patrol vessels. The 2016 Defence White Paper identified the need to ice-strengthen the planned third offshore patrol vessel.

The procurement of this vessel will improve the Defence Force’s ability to conduct patrols in the Southern Ocean. Operations will be able to occur across a wider range of ice conditions than are possible with the present offshore patrol vessel fleet.

‘The White Paper determined that the proposed naval tanker currently under contract (NUSHIP AOTEAROA to be delivered early 2020) be ice strengthened, reflecting the increasing importance of supporting New Zealand’s civilian presence in Antarctica. Ice-strengthening will enable the tanker to conduct summer resupply operations to the Antarctic. Resupply operations are of particular value for the delivery of fuel to support New Zealand and partner operations on the continent, including through the Joint Logistics Pool. Antarctic operations are also a key consideration for the Future Air Mobility project.’

This information has been supplemented by the NZDF’s unclassified Statement of Intent for the Period 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2021 which has declared the NZDF will acquire an OcPV similar to the current two 85 metre OPVs, HMNZS OTAGO and HMNZS WELLINGTON, but they have a limited ability to operate near Antarctica. They are rated at category Ice Clas 1C – First year ice to a depth of 400mm only.

During this four-year period 2018-2021 the Defence Force will allocate resources to the acquisition project for an ice–strengthened OcPV, and provide for additional personnel and support mechanisms to integrate the vessel with the two current Offshore Patrol Vessels into the Fleet.

Increasing the capacity of the Naval Patrol Force will enhance the Defence Force’s contribution to all–of–government efforts to secure borders, observe and record maritime activities and manage marine resources.

Naval Patrol Forces will also render support to search and rescue operations, maritime counter– terrorism operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

It's the second article on the page after the article about rocket lab

 asiapacificdefencereporter.com/successful-nz-space-launch-by-rocket-lab-nuship-aotearoa/

Yep which I think should dispel any notion that RNZN are going to get an ice-breaker - there has been plenty of scuttlebutt suggesting it'll be one but never any official suggestion of anything other than a OPV. 

[nighthawknz]

www.facebook.com/NZNavy/photos/a.390631373008/10158181139098009/?type=3&theater

[machina]

One thing that concerns me in today's announcement is that this third OPV for the Antarctic is to be built to 'commercial specifications'. Will this be another botched purchase?

[30sqnatc]

Not conceived to be a war fighting ship so I guess that is the new norm.

[pepe]

Jun 11, 2019 22:53:39 GMT 12 30sqnatc said:

Not conceived to be a war fighting ship so I guess that is the new norm.

Agreed. Icebreakers are built to commercial standards. They seem to work OK.

[senob]

Jun 11, 2019 22:21:55 GMT 12 machina said:

One thing that concerns me in today's announcement is that this third OPV for the Antarctic is to be built to 'commercial specifications'. Will this be another botched purchase?

The VARD 7-100-ICE-AOPV, which is what the RCN Harry DeWolf AOPV class is, may be in the mix. Apparently RNZN and  Ministry of Defence had a good look over and through the Harry DeWolf while it was being built in Halifax, Canada. The Harry DeWolf class are Polar Class 5 which is one higher than the Aotearoa which is Polar Class 6. If they go for it the RCN should've worked out the bugs and what not by the time we order one, plus we would have one coming off an established line, so maybe some savings; maybe not because its Canadian defence procurement we are talking here. 

The MOD / RNZN team were checking on the frigate upgrades in Halifax at the time. The Protector class OPVs are VARD 7-85 OPVs. 

[nighthawknz]

Jun 11, 2019 22:21:55 GMT 12 machina said:

One thing that concerns me in today's announcement is that this third OPV for the Antarctic is to be built to 'commercial specifications'. Will this be another botched purchase?

Agreed with every one else... SOPV isn't going to be a warship, but more of a patrol vessel that can handle the Antarctic seas... the current OPVs are built to  'commercial specifications' and are fine for what they do...

[beegeetee]

Vard has a picture on their website of their Vard 7 110 in RNZN markings, which is interesting.
link

[machina]

Thanks for clarifying folks.

[senob]

VARD 7-100-ICE-AOPV

[machina]

Although one is better than none, we should really have a couple of these, freeing up the OPVs and frigates for our other areas of interest.

[tfly]

/?d=n

Hope the link works? Didn’t wish to add photos as thought that might go against copyright rules!

Obviously either made for RNZN or some sort of presentation to the RNZN? Interesting prospect.

I would be interested to hear what the experts think!

[madmac]

Mar 13, 2020 3:11:09 GMT 12 tfly said:

/?d=n

Hope the link works? Didn’t wish to add photos as thought that might go against copyright rules!

Obviously either made for RNZN or some sort of presentation to the RNZN? Interesting prospect.

I would be interested to hear what the experts think!

Links not working

[nighthawknz]

Southern Ocean Patrol Vessel Project

snippet (large article)

Summary of address by Rear admiral Proctor, Chief of the Royal New Zealand Navy: “It is an exciting time for any Navy when you contemplate the acquisition of new ships. As a Navy, we defend the sovereignty and territory of New Zealand and our lines of communication, but demands for our capabilities are changing. We face a growing need to be more resilient across our large maritime nation. We face complex challenges and competing demands across our territory, our Exclusive Economic Zone and our expansive oceanic neighbourhood, from the equator to the South Pole.

For us, Antarctica and the Southern Ocean is a priority. The Defence Force supports other agencies to monitor and respond to activities in an area that is beautiful and pristine. But it is also remote and one of the harshest maritime environments on the planet.

Today, our project team will present to you our Government’s intention for a Southern Ocean Patrol Vessel, a Polar Code compliant, ice-capable ship. By the late-2020s, it will be providing a dedicated patrol capability for Government agencies in the Southern Ocean. Built to commercial standards, it will be safer and allow us to stay in the region for longer.”

nighthawk.nz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2654:southern-ocean-patrol-vessel-project&catid=11&Itemid=111

PDF can be found here

www.pacificexpo.com.au/conferences/PDFs/New-Zealand-Southern-Ocean-Patrol-Vessel-Pacific-2019-Presentation.pdf

[nighthawknz]

Jun 13, 2019 19:49:41 GMT 12 machina said:

Although one is better than none, we should really have a couple of these, freeing up the OPVs and frigates for our other areas of interest.

That is why they are getting one... to free up the two OPV's that regularly travel down south so they can patrol more of the pacific...  and that is the same reason we got the OPV's in the first place to free up the Frigates to do more of the shipping lane patrols...

[madmac]

Any body know what the hatch on the flight deck is for?
The crane seems to be on the wrong side to use it?

[tfly]

It looks like the hatch is for container storage