The Royal New Zealand Navy’s new oiler, Aotearoa , conducting replenishment trials with the Philippine Navy’s new frigate, José Rizal, off the coast of South Korea. (Screenshot from a Royal New Zealand Navy video)
A new naval tanker ship that will soon be in service with the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) as HMNZS Aotearoa (A 11) has conducted replenishment-at-sea (RAS) station keeping trials with a new frigate destined for the Philippine Navy, the future BRP José Rizal (150).
The trials were conducted off the coast of South Korea, and these were done to assess the ability for a ship to approach and remain alongside Aotearoa . The trials also validated the tanker’s pressure and suction zones during refuelling or replenishment, said the RNZN, via its official social media channel.
Aotearoa and José Rizal were both built by South Korean shipbuilder, Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI).
Aotearoa is a 166 m fleet replenishment tanker that has a standard displacement of 24,000 tonnes. The ship is equipped with two NATO-compliant RAS masts, and can carry 8,000 tonnes of diesel fuel, 1,550 tonnes of aviation fuel, and 250 tonnes of fresh water.
The tanker replaces the now-decommissioned tanker HMNZS Endeavour . Besides fuel and water, the vessel has also been equipped to store ammunition, victuals, and spare parts. It was launched in April 2019.
Meanwhile, José Rizal
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