New Zealand Navy:

2 ANZAC class Frigates

1 Leander Class Frigate

1 Endeavor Class Tanker

1 Charles Upham AP/AK Sealift ship

4 Patrol Craft

Issues: The Leander class frigate HMNZS Canterbury is about to the end of its service life. It will be replaced by two large, armed patrol craft in 2005. The government is meeting resistance over the selection of the patrol craft instead of a third ANZAC frigate (which was the intent of the previous government) because it is felt the patrol craft will have much less capability.

The Navy will replace the Charles Upham, which is currently under commercial charter. It plans to construct or charter a sealift ship capable of transporting LAV IIIs.

The Navys principle mission is to enforce the Economic Exclusion Zone, to support Australian Navy operations and support NZ Army operations in East Timor. The government feels that the former mission can be handled by the patrol craft replacing the HMNZS Canterbury and other mission (East Timor, the Solomons, and Fiji, for example) can be covered with the two ANZAC frigates and the sealift ships. -- 
Chuck Wohlrab