Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Infern0 
Wellington takes to the seas tomorrow - in the form of an 85 metre-long patrol vessel being launched by the Royal New Zealand Navy.
The Wellington is the third ship to be built as part of Project Protect, the government's $500 million upgrade of the Defence Force.
Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias will launch the vessel in Williamstown, Melbourne on what Defence Minister Phil Goff called a "happy day for New Zealand".
The Wellington will join sister ship Otago in patrolling the country's Economic Exclusion Zone, with a focus on border patrol, counter-terrorism missions and enhancing New Zealand?s presence in the Pacific.
The ship has a core crew of 35, but is equipped to carry 30 extra troops as well as flight and customs personnel.
The offshore patrol vessels are designed for flexibility. At three-quarters the size of an ANZAC frigate, the Wellington and Otago boast a 6000-mile range, are helicopter capable and ice strengthened.
The Wellington will remain based at Melbourne until it is officially commissioned in its name-sake city next year. |
The Navy is doing pretty well out of defence spending these days and while I am not sure I like our priorities in terms of the defence budget (I would much sooner see emphasis placed on the air force, in particular the return of a combat wing) it is good to finally see some new equipment getting introduced.