New Zealand Secretary of Defence Helene Quilter and Commanding Officer Steve Lenik have transferred HMNZS Te Kaha into the care of Lockheed Martin Canada and Seaspan Victoria Shipyards to commence the shipyard industrial refit phase of the ANZAC Frigate Systems Upgrade project.
HMNZS Te Kaha arrived in Canada on March 6, where it proceeded to the Royal Canadian Navy’s Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton for de-storing of equipment and preservation of ship systems in preparation for the handover and start of the industrial refit.
This marks the first time that a foreign warship has been modernized in Canada since the Second World War.
“For the past four years, Lockheed Martin Canada’s Combat System Integration team has been preparing for this day by designing, integrating and testing the Combat System as well as the ship platform design changes for HMNZ Ships Te Kaha and Te Mana next year. Installation of an advanced combat system will ensure New Zealand has a credible maritime combat capability,” Gary Fudge, acting vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Canada Rotary Mission Systems, said.
During the handover ceremony in Esquimalt, BC, Fudge expressed satisfaction with the milestone.
“On behalf of Lockheed Martin Canada and the Seaspan team, I wish to express our gratitude for this opportunity to complete the final phase of modernizing Te Kaha, with Te Mana to follow. Our continued partnership with the Royal New Zealand Navy is something we are very proud of and you may all return to New Zealand secure in the knowledge that your ship is in good hands,” Fudge said.
As Prime Systems Integrator, Lockheed Martin Canada is responsible for designing and supplying the upgraded combat system for each ANZAC Class Frigate, including a new combat management system – based on Lockheed Martin Canada’s Combat Management System 330 – along with the supply and integration of various sensors, a missile system and a Combat Systems Trainer.
HMNZS Te Mana is scheduled to arrive in 2019. Under Lockheed Martin Canada supervision and direction, Seaspan Shipyards will refit and install the new systems with an expected completion date of 2020 for the entire contract.