Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral David Ledson says the upcoming delivery of the four new Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs) is an important and significant step for the Navy, the New Zealand Defence Force, and the whole country.
The Minister of Defence announced earlier today that the four ships, ROTOITI, HAWERA, PUKAKI and TAUPO are soon to be delivered, beginning with ROTOITI, which will be officially handed over to the Navy on Friday 17th April in Whangarei, before sailing to Devonport Naval Base on Friday 24th April.
The ship will be affiliated to the port of Napier and the Hawke’s Bay region, reflecting the special relationship with the Navy that stretches back to the 1931 earthquake.
“The delivery of these ships reflects a lot of hard work by the New Zealand Defence Force, in particular the Navy, and the Ministry of Defence,” Rear Admiral Ledson said.
“The IPVs will be very capable ships and they will provide increased opportunities for our Sailors, both in the Regular Force and Naval Volunteer Reserve Forces, to have new and exciting challenges and experiences. Importantly, too, they will enable the Navy to make a wider contribution both to New Zealand in our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and further a field, particularly in the South Pacific.“ Rear Admiral Ledson said.
“Along with the new Offshore Patrol Vessels and the Air Force’s P3 Orion Maritime Surveillance Aircraft, they will provide a ‘step up’ in the Defence Force’s ability to work in close partnership with government agencies such as Department of Conservation, Ministry of Fisheries, Police, Customs and the Ministry of Foreign affairs and Trade to address New Zealand’s security challenges.”
“We’re grateful to the contractor, BAE, for their contribution to the significant effort that has gone in to securing the delivery of these impressive new ships. Today is a very exciting day for the Navy,” Rear Admiral Ledson said.
Background information on Project Protector IPVs
The Ministry of Defence and BAE Systems have agreed a formal delivery schedule for the Navy’s new Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs).
The ships are ROTOITI, HAWEA, PUKAKI and TAUPO. Prior to departure from Whangarei, they will be commissioned into naval service.
The ships are built to a modified Philippine Coast Guard “San Juan class” design. The Philippines Coast Guard currently operate 4 of this class and have been doing so since 2000.
The first IPV, ROTOITI, is planned to be delivered to Devonport Naval Base on 24th April, with the remaining three ships being delivered over the following six weeks.
The timetable for formal handover to the Navy and ceremonial commissioning of the new ships will be advised in due course.
The Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) are complete and have undergone sea trials, but the contractor has not yet offered them for delivery as there are still some issues to be resolved.
Narrative Ship Data
The IPVs are versatile vessels capable of multi-agency operations in support of national security tasks.
At 55 metres long and with a contracted 3000-nautical mile range (although the sea trials show that the range is likely to be in the region of 7000nm which is double the contracted requirement), they will contribute significantly to the patrolling of New Zealand’s 15,000km coastline, and our Exclusive Economic Zone out to 200 nautical miles. The primary role of the IPVs will be patrol and response to maritime security incidents within the inshore zone around New Zealand.
In addition to patrolling, an IPV’s tasks will include surveillance, response and boarding operations, and search and rescue. Secondary roles for the IPVs will be in New Zealand disaster relief and defence aid to the civil community.
The IPVs will have a complement of 20 naval personnel and four Government agency officers. They also have the capacity to host 12 additional personnel onboard for general naval training or other duties.
Additional Information
Compared with the Inshore Patrol Craft (1990s) and the Lake Class Patrol Boats (mid-70s to late 80s) the IPVs are like comparing a Ferrari with a Toyota Hilux. The IPVs are much faster (over the double the speed of the IPC) and highly manoeuvrable. With active fin stabilisers, they provide a comfortable ride, they are far more sophisticated (modern off the shelf equipment and automated systems including unmanned machinery spaces) and significantly more capable (long range, modern communications and surveillance systems) and they look smart!
The introduction of the IPVs will be an exciting time for the Royal New Zealand Navy. There would be many senior officers watching the young Commanding Officers with envy as the IPVs are significantly better than their predecessors.
The Navy has never had anything as capable and sophisticated as these ships which are specifically designed to undertake a range of tasks for several Government agencies including Customs, Ministry of Fisheries, DoC, Police, MFAT, NZDF and Maritime New Zealand.
Their introduction will enhance Navy’s recruitment and retention as these ships frequent ports around the NZ coast.
