A Change of Command ceremony for the frigate HMNZS TE KAHA was held on 1 February at Devonport Naval Base. Commander David McEwan RNZN assumed Command and Commander Jon Beadsmore relinquished Command. Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Jack Steer presided.
TE KAHA is built to the German MEKO 200 Class design. Sections of the ship were built spearately (some in NZ) and then combined to produce the final product. A significant proportion of TE KAHA’s internal equipment was built in New Zealand. There are ten ships in the ANZAC-class, eight Australian and two New Zealand ships.
Specifications:
Propulsion : Combined Diesel or Gas Turbine (CODOG)
Armament:
TE KAHA carries one KAMAN SH-2G Super Seasprite helicopter that can be armed with torpedoes, depth charges and Maverick missiles.
TE KAHA’s assets include weaponry, radars, sonar and electronic monitoring systems. The combined diesel or gas turbine propulsion system gives her both long range endurance and high speed capability when needed.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, February 4, 2013; Image: RNZN