New Zealand Navy has commissioned its new tanker and sustainment vessel HMNZS Aotearoa.

According to a Tweet published on July 29, 2020, the Royal New Zealand Navy has commissioned its new tanker and sustainment vessel, HMNZS Aotearoa (A 11) at Devonport Naval Base in Auckland.
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New HMNZS Aotearoa tanker and sustainment vessel of Royal New Zealand Navy. (Picture source Twitter account Stiofán Sopelza)

The HMNZS Aotearoa is an auxiliary and tanker vessel manufactured for the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) by Hyundai Heavy Industries. The vessel was delivered to the New Zealand Navy in June 2020. Full operational capability is expected to be achieved in 2021.

The  HMNZS Aotearoa offers accommodation for 98 sailors, including 64 core crew members, 11 flight staff, 14 trainees, eight mission team members, and a VIP passenger. According to the RNZN, the HMNZS Aotearoa is capable of carrying 8,000 tonnes of diesel fuel, 1,550 tonnes of aviation fuel, and 250 tonnes of fresh water for resupply operations. It is also capable of carrying up to 14 standard 20 ft containers (or, double stacked, a maximum of 22), and producing 100 tonnes of fresh water each day.

For its self-protection the tanker vessel is armed with a Phalanx close-in weapon system (CIWS) located at the forward bow deck, which will provide close-point defence against anti-ship missiles and aerial targets such as low-flying aircraft and helicopters. She can also be mounted with two mini-Typhoon light weapon stations, with the first located port side and another starboard side.

The HMNZS Aotearoa is powered by CODLAD 2 x Bergen main engines and 4 x MTU generators offering a maximum speed of 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph). The vessels can also carry helicopter SH-2G, NH90, or A109LUH with full hangar facilities.