New Zealand has learned amphibious lessons
HMNZS Canterbury has allowed the RNZN to dip its feet in the water in terms of learning amphibious operations.
The 14-year-old HMNZS Canterbury is one of the Royal New Zealand Navy’s (RNZN) most important ships, even though its combat capability is negligible. The multirole vessel’s utility was illustrated in a recent port visit to Lyttelton, the main harbour for Christchurch.
Canterbury arrived in time for 10th-anniversary commemorations of the Christchurch earthquake of 2011. The amphibious transport ship (L421) had fortuitously been in Lyttelton to pick up New Zealand Army equipment for a large military exercise when the 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck on 22 February 2011.
The 131.2m vessel built in the Netherlands was able to support disaster relief operations
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Competitive P17B tender marks a shift in Indian Navy frigate procurement]()
Competitive P17B tender marks a shift in Indian Navy frigate procurement
The Indian Navy's P17B programme is expected to combine greater weapons capacity with a competitive domestic construction model, although key systems could remain dependent on international supply chains.
-
![How France’s SNLE 3G programme is reshaping the naval nuclear industrial base]()
How France’s SNLE 3G programme is reshaping the naval nuclear industrial base
Extending far beyond a four-submarine replacement programme, France’s ballistic missile submarine effort is a decades-long industrial initiative designed to preserve the country’s ability to build and sustain nuclear-powered strategic platforms.
-
![Quantum Systems enters maritime domain with Baltic-focused USV and UUV]()
Quantum Systems enters maritime domain with Baltic-focused USV and UUV
Quantum Systems has launched into the maritime domain with Seavex and Subvex, aiming to close a Baltic Sea ISR gap opened by infrastructure sabotage.
-
![Can the US Navy ask Indo-Pacific allies to do more while training with them less?]()
Can the US Navy ask Indo-Pacific allies to do more while training with them less?
As the Iran War draws US ships and marine corps units away from the Indo-Pacific, curtailed exercises and a temporary carrier gap are exposing tensions between Washington’s demand for more self-reliant allies and the joint training needed to realise that ambition.
