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Southern Ocean focus for new OPV

26th April 2016 - 00:00 GMT | by Richard Thomas in Portsmouth

RSS

An new OPV for New Zealand will include features that will allow it to operate in the Southern Ocean and near to Antarctica.

The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) want to increase their maritime presence in this region, so the ship will have to have an ice strengthened double-hull.

At present the RNZN operates nine vessels in total, following the decision by the government to sell two of its four small inshore patrol vessels. The fleet incorporates a duo of high-end frigates and two other 85m Protector-class OPVs, pictured above, during New Zealand Defence Force exercises.

The third OPV will

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