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Naval Forces News - New Zealand |
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Hyundai
Heavy Industries to Supply Ice Capable Tanker to Royal New Zealand Navy
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New
Zealand's Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee announced that Hyundai Heavy
Industries (HHI) of South Korea won a contract to build and deliver
a new tanker for the Royal New Zealand Navy. The tanker will be ice-strengthened
for Antarctic operations, winterised, and will be the largest vessel
ever operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy. |
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Artist impression: The future ice-capable naval tanker of the
Royal New Zealand Navy.
Image: HHI
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HHI beat rival DSME in the tender worth close to
$500 million.
The new vessel will replace the existing 12,000 tons tanker HMNZS Endeavour,
which is due to retire in 2018. The HHI tanker will be delivered in
2020.
The new tanker will be capable to UNREP (underway replenishment) two
vessels at the same time tanks to two fueling stations. Its large helicopter
deck will allow for VERTREP (vertical replenishment) as well. It will
have a maximum speed of 16 knots and a range of 6,400 nautical miles.
It is set to be fitted with two Mini Typhoon remote weapon stations
by Israel company Rafael and a Phalanx Close-in-Weapon-System (CIWS)
by Raytheon.
The original requirements as drafted by the New Zealand Navy included
the capability of refuelling and sustaining the Joint Task Force both
at-sea and from-the-sea as well as the ability to support ground forces,
humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions, primarily within
the Pacific region.
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