Kiwis to update fleet

By Graham Davis

An artist’s impression of what New Zealand’s new offshore patrol boat will look like. Australia’s Tenix Defence Pty Ltd has been chosen as the successful tenderer.

Australia’s Tenix Defence Pty Ltd has been chosen as the preferred tenderer for seven new warships for the Royal New Zealand Navy.

The total undertaking, named Project Protector, is worth $NZ500million.

It calls for a new multi-role vessel, two offshore patrol boats and four inshore patrol boats.

The New Zealand and Australian Defence Ministers, Mr Mark Burton and Senator Robert Hill, announced the significant milestone in the project earlier this month.

Mr Burton said Damen Schelde ADI was the second preference to provide the multi-role vessel.

“Project Protector will provide New Zealand’s Navy and civilian agencies with a multi-role vessel capable of undertaking such tasks as tactical sealift and disaster relief in the Pacific and patrol vessels to meet our inshore and offshore requirements,” Mr Burton said.

“These ships will allow the Navy to patrol our EEZ more effectively, working in partnership with other agencies such as Fisheries and Customs, in their task of protecting our borders - one of the most important security roles in today’s global environment.

“Tenix’s bid meets Defence and civilian agency requirements, offers the best operational capability and the lowest risk, gives the best through life support and is affordable within the approved budget.”

Mr Burton said it was pleasing that Tenix’s bid would provide significant local and domestic industry involvement which would support real jobs locally and generate benefits to a wide range of New Zealand and Australian companies.

“Tenix has been involved with the Anzac frigate project for 12 years, which has delivered considerable economic benefits to New Zealand,” he said.

“Project Protector will offer the opportunity for continuing economic flow through.”

Mr Burton said the Ministry of Defence would now enter into contract negotiations to finalise options for fleet composition and an Offer Definition Process to clarify technical matters with Tenix before final confirmation of the multi-role supplier.

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