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
-
![SOF Week 2026: US Navy USV completes record eight-day autonomous mission]()
SOF Week 2026: US Navy USV completes record eight-day autonomous mission
The MARTAC T38 Devil Ray USV has set a new endurance benchmark as the US Navy pushes deeper into autonomous maritime warfare.
-
![A closer look at the US Navy’s $268 billion investment in shipbuilding by 2031]()
A closer look at the US Navy’s $268 billion investment in shipbuilding by 2031
The recently released USN 2026 Shipbuilding Plan anticipates the procurement of 185 crewed and uncrewed platforms in the next five years.
-
![STM’s European wins strengthen Turkey’s naval credibility on the continent]()
STM’s European wins strengthen Turkey’s naval credibility on the continent
Turkish defence and engineering company STM is attempting to challenge Europe’s established naval primes by winning contracts from Portugal to Pakistan – with a business model built on working in any shipyard in the world.
