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Five-month deployment for Royal New Zealand Navy vessel includes military exercises, operations and engagements

A series of international operations and exercises in the Western Pacific, South East Asia and East Asia will form part of a significant deployment for the Royal New Zealand Navy’s (RNZN) HMNZS Aotearoa.

19 JUNE, 2024

The RNZN’s maritime sustainment vessel sailed from Devonport Naval Base last week with a Seasprite helicopter on board, and will spend the next five months at sea involved in a series of regional engagements, training exercises and operations.

The largest of these will be Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), which is held in Hawaii every two years. The US-hosted event is the world’s largest multinational maritime warfare exercise and this year New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel and platforms will join 40 surface ships, four submarines, 171 aircraft and more than 25,000 personnel from 30 nations.

The crew from HMNZS Aotearoa will be among approximately 250 NZDF personnel deployed to RIMPAC. The NZDF is also deploying a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft and air surveillance personnel, RNZN divers from HMNZS Matataua and staff officers for headquarters roles.

RIMPAC is one part of the ship’s overall five-month deployment, named Operation Crucible. The RNZN regularly makes this deployment to the Asia Pacific region, to carry out engagement activities including training with other navies and replenishing ships at sea.

Commander Joint Forces, Rear Admiral Jim Gilmour, says Operation Crucible demonstrates NZDF capability, and its commitment to the international rules-based system and security and stability in the region.

“This is a continuation of the NZDF’s work with partners to support maritime security and defence matters while enabling collective training exercises,” he said.

During the deployment, HMNZS Aotearoa will also support the NZDF’s contribution to efforts to detect and deter evasions of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions which impose sanctions against North Korea.

North Korea continues to launch ballistic missiles in violation of UNSC resolutions and to import and export prohibited goods and materials. The sanctions are intended to persuade North Korea to denuclearise and abandon its ballistic missile weapons capabilities.

While on operations, HMNZS Aotearoa will maintain a presence, conduct surveillance, and re-fuel ships at sea, including those from partner nations conducting maritime patrols to detect and deter sanctions evasions.

Maritime Component Commander, Commodore Garin Golding, says the RNZN has a long history of deployments in the Asia Pacific area.

This is an important deployment, enabling our highly trained personnel to further upskill while working alongside partner militaries in the region, undertaking both exercises and operational missions.

“The Aotearoa’s participation in efforts to detect and deter UNSC sanctions evasions is a great opportunity, one I know the ship’s company is looking forward to undertaking,” Commodore Golding said.

For the Commanding Officer of HMNZS Aotearoa, Commander Rob Welford, the deployment is shaping up to be one of the career highlights for the crew.

“The ship’s company are really excited as this deployment is exactly the reason why they joined the Navy,” Commander Welford said. 

“They’ll be sailing more than 30,000 nautical miles, conducting port visits in four countries and creating bonds with their shipmates over the next 18 weeks that will last a lifetime.

“Plus they will be advancing New Zealand’s interests from the sea, one of the key reasons our Navy personnel choose to serve.”

The newest additions to the Naval Service are a pair of former Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV) with the first of the cutters, expected to head out to sea this month based on an initial operating capability, writes Jehan Ashmore.

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The P70 class Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV) twins LÉ Aoibhinn (P71) as above and LÉ Gobnait (P72) which is to serve in the Irish Sea, on the east and south-east coasts. Of the pair, the crew of LÉ Aoibhinn are preparing the cutter into an initial stage of service this month and thereon into a full operational role. These stages see the vessel’s capabilities tested and armament installed and with their entry, they will mark a new era in Ireland’s commitment to EU fishery protection, the EEZ and in other roles tasked. Credit: irishnavalservice/facebook

The newest additions to the Naval Service are a pair of former Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV) with the first of the cutters, expected to head out to sea this month based on an initial operating capability, writes Jehan Ashmore.

As previously reported, the names of the IPV’s which were acquired from the New Zealand Government in 2022, were officially announced as the LÉ Aoibhinn and LÉ Gobnait by Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Michael Martin. The ‘Lake’ class cutters were built in Whangarei in the north island of New Zealand, by BAE Systems Australia and were commissioned into the RNZN in 2009.

Afloat has inquired to clarify the previous names of the IPV’s and that of the newly renamed twins, which reflect a previous tradition in the Naval Service to name ships after admirable historical Irish females.

In addition the IPV’s also have been given their respective new P70 class pennant numbers. P71 has been assigned to the LÉ Aoibhinn (as above), the former HMZNS Rotoiti, while its twin, LÉ Gobnait, was formerly the HMZNS Pukaki, which is now the P72.

Each of the IPV’s / P70 class will have a core crew complement of 20, with additional capacity to take up to 16 personnel. The IPV’s are to operate in their new northern hemisphere career, specifically patrolling in the Irish Sea on the East and the south-east coasts. In a measure by the Irish Government is their primary role in patrolling fishery waters as a member of the EU and Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and other roles among them maritime surveillance operations.

In response to Afloat’s questions on the entry of the IPV’s, the Naval Service said they are currently working LÉ Aoibhinn up to Initial Operating Capability (IOC) and all going to plan we expect the IPV to proceed to sea towards the end of this month, on May 24. Once LÉ Aoibhinn goes through its IOC process, the IPV will then commence working up to Full Operational Capability (FOC).

The Naval Service added that, subject to successful recruitment and retention of personnel, it is planned to commence LÉ Gobnait’s IOC process and onwards to FOC.

Afloat also posed the question of which port will be used, and the Naval Service said that the Concept of Operations for the IPVs is for East Coast operations. This will include a Forward Operating Base (FOB) however, such a location is still to be confirmed.

The twins which replaced the decomissioned Peacock / P40 class pair LE Orla and LE Ciara (see scrapping story), will be formally named and commissioned later in the year.

RNZAF Hercules, NZDF personnel arrive in Papua New Guinea to help distribute relief supplies

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The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has deployed a Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130H (NZ) Hercules and personnel to Papua New Guinea to help with the distribution of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief supplies.

10 MAY, 2024

Papua New Guinea experienced a significant earthquake on 24 March in East Sepik and there has also been recent flooding there and in surrounding provinces.

The Government of Papua New Guinea recently asked for New Zealand’s help in transporting approximately 30 tonnes of aid from Port Moresby to affected communities in outlying areas.

Commander Joint Forces New Zealand Rear Admiral Jim Gilmour said NZDF personnel would work with Papua New Guinea authorities on transporting the supplies to affected communities in 10 provinces.

New Zealand has a long-standing commitment to working with and supporting Pacific partners in humanitarian assistance and disaster responses.

“Our Hercules aircraft are well suited to this task. We have deployed the aircraft and personnel to support our Papua New Guinea partners with their distribution plan and to help get relief supplies to communities in need,” Rear Admiral Gilmour said.

The Hercules departed Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Auckland on Thursday, and will be flying over the weekend to transport the aid.

The relief supplies include tents, blankets, plastic sheets, sleeping pads, water purifiers and portable jerry cans.

The Hercules and NZDF personnel are due to return to New Zealand on Monday.

Naval engineers take on the Aussie Anzac experience

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Three Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) officers are among the lucky few honing their trade aboard three Australian Anzac-class warships.

07 MAY, 2024

Sub Lieutenants Taylor Bell-Booth, Ben Sterritt and Aron Mago completed their introductory engineering course in Australia in HMAS Cerberus. Now, posted to frigates HMA Ships Perth, Stuart and Warramunga, they are completing their training as assistant marine engineering officers and have given the experience high praise.

“It is an incredible opportunity to work alongside New Zealand’s closest ally and ‘bigger brother’,” Sub Lieutenant Sterritt said.

“To meet the people and learn from the way that the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) operates is an experience that I will be able to take back to New Zealand and share.”

Sub Lieutenant Bell-Booth echoed Sub Lieutenant Sterritt, sharing the eagerness to pass on their experience to other RNZN officers.

“Being involved with the RAN has given me a diversity of experience and a deeper understanding of how the RAN operates,” Sub Lieutenant Bell-Booth said.

“I can take this back to the RNZN and provide a better perspective when our navies work together.”

Each officer has found it easy to work alongside his Australian shipmates, remarking on the similar cultures, lifestyles and perspectives on service they all share. There was the occasional hiccup, however.

“We share very similar lifestyles, although the only difference has been the Aussies getting used to my Kiwi accent,” Sub Lieutenant Mago said.

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SUB LIEUTENANTS BEN STERRITT (LEFT), ARON MAGO (CENTRE) AND TAYLOR BELL-BOOTH (RIGHT)

The importance of the Anzac tradition is not lost on the officers, and neither is the significance of their time aboard an Anzac class frigate.

Each officer has already marked an Anzac Day alongside RAN members, and Sub Lieutenants Mago and Sterritt looked forward to the rare opportunity of marking it at sea.

“I looked forward to marking Anzac Day on board. It has been a very cool experience serving in an Anzac-class frigate with the Australians,” SLT Mago said.

Sub Lieutenant Bell-Booth participated in a dawn service and parade with his shipmates before taking time to share experiences and stories with other members and veterans – something close to his heart.

“My grandfather fought in Italy in the Second World War as a member of the 5th Field Artillery Regiment. He had some incredible stories. He passed away a couple of years before I joined the RNZN. He was a fantastic role model,” Sub Lieutenant Bell-Booth said.

“I am grateful every day that we serve under vastly different circumstances to those that he endured.”

Australia and New Zealand share a deep bond of military cooperation and friendship that is expressed through the exchange program.

While their experiences differ greatly, the Anzac spirit is alive and well with Australians and New Zealanders working together at sea, said Sub Lieutenant Skerritt.

“While not even close to comparable to our ancestors, I too have had a taste of the Anzac relationship in the armed services first-hand and it is something that will always stay with me. It is a privilege to be a part of and one that I will never forget.”

Royal New Zealand Navy team supports Fiji to counter illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

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A 10-personnel Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) contingent has completed a six-week deployment supporting the Fiji Ministry of Fisheries to counter illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone, which covers 1.29m square km.

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07 MAY, 2024

An eight-person Deployable Boarding Team (DBT) from HMNZS Matataua – the RNZN’s littoral warfare support unit – along with two Junior Warfare Officers embarked the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy (RN) vessel HMS Tamar in Auckland in March before beginning a sweep of Fiji’s waters for vessels fishing illegally, as well as other illicit activity including poor crew welfare, pollution or involvement in the shark fin trade.

Partnering with Fijian fishery officers, the boarding teams from HMS Tamar intercepted and boarded 23 vessels.

All vessels were complying with the terms of their licences, though several were found to have minor infractions with their long-line fishing practices. Local authorities indicated this could be due to a recent policy transition which is still being communicated to vessels.  

Lieutenant Jack Walters, officer in charge of the DBT, said it was a great opportunity to represent the RNZN and Aotearoa while supporting our international partners.

“There is an estimated loss of FJ$600m (approx. NZ$440m) to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the Pacific region each year,” Lieutenant Walters said.  

“This combined effort has strengthened deterrence and enforcement in the region, which has a direct correlation to the prosperity of our Pacific Island neighbours.  It’s heartening to see that there were no concerning reports from any of the vessels we observed or boarded.

“HMS Tamar is a capable platform enabled by a professional and passionate crew, and we’ve appreciated the opportunity to work with our UK counterparts for enhanced relations and counter illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.”  Two sailors looking away from the camera on the bridge of HMS Tamar

SUB LIEUTENANTS DARREN PACE AND ELLIOT BELL ON THE BRIDGE OF HMS TAMAR1029

PETTY OFFICER PHYSICAL TRAINING INSTRUCTOR MARC THOMAS CLIMBS ABOARD HMS TAMARTwo sailors not looking at the camera on board a vessel

PETTY OFFICER SEAMAN COMBAT SPECIALIST JORDAN MCHUGH AND ABLE HYDROGRAPHIC SYSTEMS OPERATOR MYA-MARIE WELLS ON BOARD A VESSEL OF INTERESTA boarding team prepares to approach a vessel of interest

A BOARDING TEAM PREPARES TO APPROACH A VESSEL OF INTERESTScroll to previous imageScroll to next image

Sub Lieutenant Darren Pace was one of the two Junior Warfare Officers on board, and said the opportunity enabled them to experience life on a foreign warship and gain valuable exposure to boarding operations, including holding watches on the bridge alongside their RN counterparts.

“Being able to work with other nations on operations are the exact experiences I joined the New Zealand Defence Force for,” he said.

“Conducting bridge watches on HMS Tamar was an awesome opportunity to gain and maintain navigation skills that will support our career development.”

The DBT team – which was stood up last year – is a specialist capability providing a ready-to-go resource that can support an RNZN ship or vessels of partner nations on operations. 

HMS Tamar is a Batch 2 River-Class Offshore Patrol Vessel of the RN. Alongside its sister-ship HMS Spey, it is forward-deployed to the Indo-Pacific as part of the UK’s enduring commitment to the region.