In May 2012 the Joint Chiefs of Staff debuted a concept known as the Black Swan Class sloop-of-war; a light and modifiable corvette-type vessel. A brief wave of excitement and interest followed suit, however this was short-lived.
3,150 tonnes, 95 meters and £65 million. The Black Swan was a modular design, including; a mission bay for UAVs, USVs and UUVs
It is a shame that the concept seems to have been consigned to a dusty shelf in the bowels of Whitehall. It offered a sober and pragmatic vision that would alleviate many of the pressures which the Royal Navy is currently subject to.
A small, (relatively) cheap and customisable platform would allow the Royal Navy to fulfil its residual duties whilst relieving the frigate and destroyer fleet.
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In June 2014 work began on construction of RFA Tidespring, the first of 4 new Tide-class tankers to be built in South Korea. This project is the only remnant of the ambitious original ‘MARS programme’ to fully regenerate the RFA flotilla. They will be the first new replenishment vessels the RFA has received since 2003 and they represent a vast improvement over the older ships they will replace. Designed by British company BMT, the 37,000 tonne vessels are built to modern double-hull standards with highly efficient propulsion and automation.Full story
Two interesting OP Eds from The Lens of History friends at the Save The Royal Navy Campaign, got me thinking about the future of the RNZN up until 2030. Closer to 2030 the RNZN's 2 Anzac Class Frigates are scheduled for replacement. Closer to the present HMNZS Endeavour is due for replacement . Now New Zealand lacks a home grown defence industry. So for NZDF acquisitions the New Zealand government will always go shopping overseas.
What struck me is how the RFA, RN and RNZN current and future acquisition's are on the same wave length. The reader may think that I am a bit crazy to make any kind of comparison between the RNZN and the RN because of the size difference between the two navies. Well I am sad to say that the idea isn't all that mad. As of the time of writing the RN is closer in size to the RAN then it's old Cold War era self.
The reader can find my views on what the RNZN force structure should be can be found here. I have chosen not to replicate my stand point in this article because of space constraints. My views on why the RNZN's current force structure is woeful and dangerous can be found at the same place.
Moving along I will start with HMNZS Endeavour's replacement. Did the New Zealand government drop the ball by not ordering a Tide Class Tanker? I am inclined to think they dropped the ball badly. The chance to replace HMNZS Endeavour and increase the RNZN's logistical capabilities has gone begging.
I believe the government's of New Zealand and the United Kingdom should have made a joint order for Tide Class Tankers. The additional work would have naturally been welcomed by the ships builders Crucially the New Zealand government could have played Hardball over the price of their order. Attaching a ship on to an existing order offers the buyer leverage.
Now I will shift to the RNZN Anzac Class Frigates would be replacements. At the time of writing Australia and New Zealand are separately pursuing replacements for their respective ANZAC Class frigates. The New Zealand government's aim is to kick the can down the road so somebody else has to foot the bill. They can get away with this because the matter isn't a vote winner.
About now BAE Systems ought to be knocking on Australia’s door and pushing the virtues of the Type 26 Frigate. Australia has brought forward it's own Anzac Class Frigates replacement program to 2020. BAE Systems could also drop off a few business cards across the ditch. Regardless of which design the Australians adopt, New Zealand will be in the market for two ships.
A future New Zealand government may not opt to maintain Frigates as a part of the RNZN inventory. In that case the Black Swan Class Sloop of War design concept could well be on the table. Lower up front and on going costs would be attractive to the government of the day.
New Zealand's defence policy is geared towards peacekeeping. Having naval units with high end combat capabilities isn't a priority for the RNZN. In essence the RNZN is a long range coast guard with a converted ferry (HMNZS Canterbury) and a couple of low end frigates thrown into the mix.
Why doesn't BAE Systems pitch the Black Swan Class Sloop of War to the export market? Beyond New Zealand which markets should the design be pitched to? The answer to these questions is worth visiting briefly. In general I would say the UK Shipbuilding industry have become reliant on government orders. By doing so they have become lazy. In their laziness they have ignored potential export markets. Their Australian counterparts have gone the same way.
Vietnam and the Philippines immediately spring to mind as potential buyers of vessels that bear similarities in size and capabilities to corvettes like the Black Swan Class Sloop of War does.
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