Pacific 2019: NZ delineates Southern Ocean OPV requirement
The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) used the opportunity afforded by the Pacific International Maritime Exhibition in Sydney to elaborate on its requirement for a new ice-strengthened OPV that is able to handle the rigours and rough conditions of the Southern Ocean.
New Zealand’s Defence Capability Plan listed the need for such a vessel, one that is more capable and has better seakeeping than the two current 1,900t Otago-class OPVs in the RNZN.
The 2019 edition of the plan stated: ‘The navy’s existing patrol capabilities are not able to meet the changing requirements of New Zealand’s maritime domain. The
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US tests the newest QUICKSINK maritime weapon variant in the Norwegian Sea]()
US tests the newest QUICKSINK maritime weapon variant in the Norwegian Sea
The low-cost, anti-ship, precision-guided 500lb class capability was launched by a USAF B-2 Spirit stealth bomber.
-
![US Navy seeks suppliers for Landing Craft Utility 1700-class]()
US Navy seeks suppliers for Landing Craft Utility 1700-class
With ongoing market research to find potential shipyards for building LCUs, NAVSEA intends to issue a request for proposals for the programme next year.
-
![US Coast Guard orders 10 additional Fast Response Cutters]()
US Coast Guard orders 10 additional Fast Response Cutters
The USCG exercised a $507 million contract option for the acquisition of 10 extra FRCs. This new order will raise the total number of Sentinel-class vessels procured by the service from 67 to 77.
-
![DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology]()
DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology
At DSEI 2025, Red Cat outlines its expansion from UAVs into uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), positioning itself as a multi-domain defence provider spanning land, sea, and air.
-
![Anduril Australia wins A$1.7 billion Ghost Shark XL-AUV contract]()
Anduril Australia wins A$1.7 billion Ghost Shark XL-AUV contract
The vessels are expected to deliver a major boost to Australia’s undersea warfare capabilities, with production set to start immediately.
