Designing A Fleet
Andrew Watts
ANI Occasional Paper No. 2
Introduction
The Royal New Zealand Navy is facing an unprecedented period of transition. Most of the ships in our existing fleet will wear out over a very short time frame in the early 2030’s, and we are beginning the process of acquiring yet more diversity in capability with the Southern Ocean Patrol Vessel (SOPV)[i] and a new amphibious ship. We have an opportunity to put in place a coherent, affordable, and sustainable fleet should we choose to fully exploit new technologies and doctrines, but time frames are such that we must start thinking about them now. This paper describes the fleet re-capitalisation opportunity with a view to stimulating further discussion, particularly amongst naval practitioners, NZDF capability staffs across all domains, and the policy development, capability development, and capability delivery Ministry of Defence officials who will be confronted with the fleet re-capitalisation problem over the next two – three years.
[i] SOPV will be designed and equipped to operate in the ice, sea state, and temperature conditions typical of the Southern Ocean and Antarctic region, carrying out a wide range of scientific and security missions.
Designing a Force Structure (Not Replacing Ships)
This paper is based on the premise that “like for like” replacement of the current fleet should not be the default force structure option. Fleet re-capitalisation must be based on a unified, top-down view of operational requirements, informed by technological and doctrinal opportunity and by affordability in acquisition and through life sustainment. We must design a fleet, not replace ships, and the very short time frame in which most of our ships wear out gives us an opportunity to do so.
About the Author
Andrew Watts joined the Royal New Zealand Navy in 1980 as a Midshipman in what was then the seaman specialisation. He qualified as Principal Warfare Officer in 1989, and commanded HMNZ Ships Pukaki (II), Wellington(F69), Resolution and Te Mana. He first retired from the Navy as a Captain in 2011, spending what he describes as an immensely rewarding three years in the private sector working for Opus International Consultants. He re-joined the Navy in 2014 at the request of the then Chief of Navy to take up an appointment as Director, Operation NEPTUNE, the Navy’s year long programme of events to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of its founding in 1941. His final appointment was as Lead, Future Surface Combatant in Capability Branch, HQNZDF, and it was in this capacity that he formed the views on which this paper is based. He transferred from regular service to the standby Naval Reserve in January 2020. He is now employed by KPMG Saudi Arabia and the Levant as a Defence Consultant.
