HMNZS TE KAHA - F77
Modern, Versatile, Capable
TE KAHA and TE MANA fom our Navy's combat force. Frigates are the smallest type of warship capable of sustained, independent operations - and have become the building block for multi-national naval task forces.
TE KAHA is built to the German MEKO 200 Class design. Sections of the ship were built separately (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:
Standard Displacement: 3,600 tonnes
Length Overall: 118 metres
Beam: 14.8 metres
Draught: 6.2 metres
Speed: 27+ knots
Range: 6,000 nautical miles at 18 knots
Complement: 177 Officers and ratings
Propulsion: Combined Diesel or Gas Turbine (CODOG)
1 GE LM 2500 Gas Turbine (30,000 hp)
2 MTU 12V 1163 Diesel's (8,500 hp)
Twin Shaft Controllable Pitch Propellers
Armament:
* 5 inch 54 calibre fully automatic lightweight gun
* Eight cell Vertical Launch System which houses the NATO Seasparrow Mk 41 air defence missile
* PHALANX Close In Weapon System
* Two MK 32 Mod 5 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes
* Numerous small arms ranging from 50 cal machine guns to 9 mm pistols
Other: 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.
The first of the Royal New Zealand Navy's (RNZN) ANZAC class frigates, TE KAHA was launched in Melbourne on 22 July 1995, and commissioned in Auckland exactly two years later.
The SH-2G (NZ) Seasprite helicopters presently operate from TE MANA and TE KAHA, embarked with aircrew from the RNZN and maintainers from the RNZAF. Since 2007 they have also operated off the two new Offshore Patrol Vessels and the Multi Role Vessel HMNZS CANTERBURY.
TE KAHA is built to the German MEKO 200 Class design. Sections of the ship were built separately (some in New Zealand) and then combined to produce the final product. There are now ten in the ANZAC class, eight Australian and two New Zealand ships.
The name TE KAHA is Maori, meaning 'fighting prowess' or 'strength'. The Ship's Motto is 'He Ponanga Kaha' or 'Service with strength' - this embodies the strength of the Ship, the Royal New Zealand Navy, and the service to our country.
The Ship's Crest features a wahaika -a hand-held thrusting weapon- tying the design to the land and the people. The rope ties the design to the sea. The knots in the ends of the rope represent skill, strength and protection.