New Ships Contract Welcomed

New Zealand Defence Force
Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa
Media Release
Thursday 5 August

NEW SHIPS CONTRACT WELCOMED

"The Royal New Zealand Navy is full of enthusiasm given the imminent prospect of the new ships now under contract," says the Chief of Defence Force, Air Marshal Bruce Ferguson. "The delivery of these new ships will revitalise our patrol, sealift and training capabilities and provide a highly versatile Navy."

"It gives us the opportunity to explore new and innovative ways of supporting and servicing this Fleet which will allow Navy to assist in delivering a greater range of outcomes for Government, particularly through increased emphasis on operations with other Departments such as Fisheries, Customs and Immigration."

Air Marshal Ferguson said that the new multi-role vessel and the patrol vessels have great potential in terms of providing more exciting challenges and opportunities earlier in the careers of both officers and sailors.

"The Inshore Patrol Vessels will be well employed in the waters around our extensive coastline - waters which are as demanding as anywhere in the world. Increased capability means the four Inshore Patrol Vessels and the two Offshore Patrol Vessels will be much more visible to New Zealanders than our present ships as they will be able to make many more port visits and will fill our national and regional responsibilities very effectively," Air Marshal Ferguson commented.

Air Marshal Ferguson also pointed out that with the realisation of the new Project Protector vessels, the Navy's ANZAC Frigates, which have performed with such distinction in the challenging multinational naval operations currently being conducted in the Middle East region, will be able to concentrate more on their primary war-fighting capability and duties.

"As a result, the contract now signed with Tenix means that the face of Navy will be transformed over the next few years as the new ships enter service. We are all really looking forward to that and the associated organisational challenges in delivering what is expected from them," the Chief of Defence Force said.

ENDS

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