The Royal New Zealand Navy frigate HMNZS Te Mana triumphantly sailed into Waitemat? Harbour immediately and acquired a well-deserved Ceremonial Homecoming following the completion of a three-year frigate techniques improve in Canada. As gun salutes from ship and shore rang across the harbour, greater than 700 excited family and friends lined the wharf and greeted the 175-strong crew with a mixture of cheers, banners and helium balloons and cries of pleasure. A rousing haka was carried out by sailors on the wharf because the ship got here alongside and this acquired an equally passionate response from the ship’s firm. Additionally welcoming the ship and crew again dwelling have been the Minister of Defence Peeni Henare, Secretary of Defence Andrew Bridgman, and Chief of Navy Rear Admiral David Proctor.
“With the upgraded HMNZS Te Kaha already dwelling, the return of HMNZS Te Mana marks the subsequent step within the restoration of the Royal New Zealand Navy’s fight functionality. As soon as their fashionable techniques have been absolutely launched, the frigates will present Aotearoa with high-end choices over the total vary of maritime operations. Te Kaha and Te Mana will have the ability to deploy via the IndoPacific and anyplace on the planet to advance our nationwide pursuits, together with offering maritime safety alongside our companions the place wanted,” Rear Admiral Proctor stated.
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The improve programme was managed by the Ministry of Defence and carried out by Lockheed Martin Canada, which delivered new radars, digital detection and different above-water techniques, the self-defence missile system, decoys towards missiles and torpedoes, and an improve to the hull-mounted sonar, together with the fight administration system that integrates these. The improve work was crucial for the Navy because it means New Zealand might now make a fair larger contribution within the area, and globally when working with worldwide army companions. Te Mana will shortly undertake a collection of trials, exams, and workouts, permitting for the progressive launch of the ship’s operational capabilities.
HMNZS Te Mana (F111) is one in all ten Anzac-class frigates and one in all two serving within the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN). The identify Te Mana is M?ori, roughly translating as ‘standing’ or ‘authority’. The ship was laid down below the joint Anzac undertaking by Tenix Defence at Williamstown, Victoria in 1996, launched in 1997, and commissioned into the RNZN in 1999. Anzac frigates can fight simultaneous threats from the air, floor and sub-surface. This makes these ships a significant part in sustaining regional safety. Te Mana is crewed by as much as 178 sailors from the overwhelming majority of branches and trades within the Navy, skilled to function the ship in environments from the chilly of the Southern Ocean to the warmth of the Arabian Sea, in peacetime and in fight conditions.
