The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) has taken possession of the first of the Protector fleet Offshore Patrol Vessels, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp and Associate Defence Minister Heather Roy said.rnHMNZS Otago was handed over to the navy by shipbuilder BAE Systems Australia at an acceptance ceremony held in Melbourne on Feb 18.rn"Getting delivery of the OPVs has been one of our critical defence priorities in government. Through a successful mediation process we have resolved contract issues to a point where these ships will do the job they are designed for, and do it well," Dr Mapp said.rn"The OPVs complete the Protector fleet. They bring a major new capability to the navy. They can perform the full range of maritime military capability from security missions and peacekeeping to border patrol and humanitarian and disaster relief, especially in the South Pacific," he said.
展开▼
