Project Protector
Client: Royal New Zealand Navy
Description
To acquire a Multi-Role Vessel (MRV), and Offshore and Inshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs and IPVs). The primary role of the MRV is to provide the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) with a tactical sealift capability. In addition to this role, the MRV is able to provide a response capability to contingency operations in the New Zealand EEZ and the South Pacific, conduct sea training for the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) and contribute to the off shore patrol effort. The OPVs and IPVs are to be operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy to conduct tasks for and with the NZDF, New Zealand Customs, the Department of Conservation, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Fisheries, Maritime New Zealand and the New Zealand Police.
Government approval
In 2004, the Government approved a project budget of NZ$500 million excluding GST.
The following are the estimated costs (NZ$K) at this current stage of the project for each ship and class. The project is yet to be completed so final costs per vessel class have yet to be determined. The costs provided assumes that the $500M budget is expended. Costs for project management, spares, contingency and Government Furnished Equipment have been amortised across the three ship classes:
| Ship | Cost per class |
Cost per ship |
|---|---|---|
| MRV | 177,426 | 177,426 |
| OPV | 179,437 | 89,718 |
| IPV | 143,137 | 35,784 |
| Total | 500,000 |
Contract
A Contract was signed on 28 July 2004, with Tenix Defence Pty Limited (now BAE Systems Australia) for the provision of seven ships, comprising one MRV, two OPVs, and four IPVs.
The MRV was built in the Netherlands, the two OPVs in Melbourne and the four IPVs in Whāngarei . The New Zealand industry component exceeded the contracted $110 million with over 85 New Zealand companies involved in the provision of work or equipment for Project Protector.
The Multi Role Vessel has been named HMNZS Canterbury. The two OPVs were named Otago and Wellington at their launch on 18 November 2006 and 27 October 2007 respectively. The four IPVs were named Rotoiti (on 4 August 2007) Hāwea (15 December 2007), Pūkaki (10 May 2008), and Taupō (23 August 2008) at ceremonies in Whāngarei shortly after their launch.
Current status
The HMNZS Canterbury was delivered on 31 May 2007 and commissioned into RNZN service on 12 June 2007 in Melbourne. She has since undertaken an introduction to service programme with the RNZN and a range of exercises around New Zealand and operations in Timor Leste, Indonesia and has recently supported the tsunami relief efforts in Samoa.
All four IPVs have been delivered and have been successfully introduced into RNZN service and are now undertaking their designed roles of multi-agency tasks around New Zealand.
HMNZS ships:
- ROTOITI delivered on 16 April 2009 and commissioned into RNZN service on 17 April 2009
- HĀWEA delivered and commissioned into RNZN service on 1 May 2009
- PŪKAKI delivered and commissioned into RNZN service on 14 May 2009
- TAUPŌ delivered on 28 May 2009 and commissioned into RNZN service on 29 May 2009.
The first OPV (OTAGO) is expected to be delivered in late November and arrive at the Devonport Naval Base in Auckland before Christmas 2009.
The Second OPV (WELLINGTON) is expected to be delivered in late January or early February 2010 and arrive at Devonport Naval Base in late February 2010.
Contact
Acquisition Division
Ministry of Defence
PO Box 12703
Molesworth Street
Wellington 6144
New Zealand
Phone: +64 4 496 0678
Fax: +64 4 496 0859
Email: info@defence.govt.nz
As at November 2009
