New $250m Navy vessel will have many roles

By FRANCESCA MOLD

The Navy's new $250 million multi-role vessel will be able to transport the Army's light armoured vehicles, transfer heavy equipment and troops onto shore without needing a port and carry helicopters for sea rescues and boarding suspect ships.

The Government yesterday revealed details of its $500 million spend-up on new equipment for the Navy. The Opposition described the plan as an attempt to downgrade the Navy and turn it into an expensive fisheries patrol. But Defence Minister Mark Burton said it would create a more "modern and practical fleet".

Almost half of the budget has been put aside for a new multi-role vessel which would be used to support military operations, humanitarian relief projects and help patrol New Zealand waters. It would have 40-76mm guns.

Defence Minister Mark Burton said the Government was looking to the ship-building industry to come up with options for a vessel that would meet the needs set out by the Navy and other agencies, including customs, fisheries and the police.

"We're looking for creative and innovative solutions," he said.

New Zealand ship-building companies would be particularly encouraged to put forward proposals.

Tenix Defence in Whangarei has confirmed it will bid for the job building the new vessel. The multi-role ship will carry out the sealift tasks previously supposed to have been handled by the the Charles Upham, which was sold off as a citrus carrier after it was found to roll too much in heavy seas.

The Charles Upham, purchased for $14 million, was sold to a Spanish company last year for $6.8 million.

Mr Burton said the vessel must be ready in time to replace the ageing Canterbury frigate, which is due to be decommissioned in 2005, leaving the Navy with just two frigates.

The Government has set aside a further $250 million for at least two new speedy offshore patrol boats designed to chase suspicious vessels and allow fisheries, customs or police officers to board and carry out inspections. It was expected the offshore vessels would have a helicopter deck and be ice-strengthened in order to patrol the southern ocean.

Some of the money would also be used to either upgrade the Navy's five inshore patrol boats or buy new vessels for the task of monitoring activities close to shore.

At the release of the maritime forces review yesterday, Mr Burton said it was the first time analysis had been done of both military and civilian needs.

"It's a multi-vessel Navy. It will be better equipped in the future than it has been in the past but it will be differently configured to meet New Zealand's requirements," said Mr Burton.

Chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral Peter McHaffie said the new equipment would result in a "practical Navy that covers a whole range of tasks".

He said the vessels would allow junior officers to take on command roles at an earlier stage than previously. The multi-role ship would also relieve the pressure on the frigates to take part in humanitarian relief projects, freeing them up for military activities.

But National's defence spokesman Max Bradford pointed out the review stated the fleet would be able to provide one frigate for defence work for up to six months each year - a reduction in New Zealand's ability to work with other nations in the defence and security of the region.

Mr Bradford said the Government was moving the Navy away from a strong combat capacity to peacekeeping and humanitarian activities. "It is hello flower power and goodbye sea power," he said.

Act's defence spokesman, Owen Jennings, said soldiers would be reduced to chasing fishing vessels around in "expensive military water-taxis".

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