Waikato class Frigate (1965)

Waitangi Day ! For this 6 February 2025, here is a special about cold war New Zealand Frigates, the Waikato class, specifically ordered in Britain, two standard Leander Batch 2 and two “broad beam” Leander, widely considered the best British mid-cold war frigates. In June 1963, the first was ordered from the RN (Type 12 Leander), a second approved 5 years later as a modified broad-beam in August 1968, generally similar apart from a modified funnel cap and USN-pattern Mk 32 TT abaft the boats port and starboard. By October 1981 it was announced that the Ikara-armed Leanders HMS Dido and BB Bacchante would be purchased from the RN in 1981-82, one of each type, 12 and 12I. HMNZS Wellington was the ex-Bacchante, sailing to NZ in October 1982 but Soutland in December 1983, after her refit was complete. Both were discarded in 1995. Waikato had her hangar enlarged for a Lynx, the other three had Wasps. Modernizations proceeded between 1984 and 1992.

Development

RNZN frigates in Wellington Harbour, 1980

As the cold war commenced in 1947, the commonwealth was soon included in the RN’s grand strategy before the “East of Suez” policy. The new threat was clearly identified, Soviet Submarines, of the new generation (Whiskey class) that the allies feared was about to be built en masse, and basically resumed the failed German submarine offensive (The Type XXI was never deployed in time to make a difference). The Canada was important to face the major North Atlantic routes, but so did Oceania’s Asustralia and New Zealand, facing the Soviet Pacific fleet. However they had independent governments, even still under the British Crown’s symbolic dominion. And their Navies was a refflexion of their economical means and budgetary constraints. Still, their economies were more developed than before WW2 and their population rose and fuelled an economic boom.

NZ was a protected, inward-looking economy tied closely to Britain. It had strong economic growth and very low unemployment but also heavy government involvement in the economy. There was an expansion of the welfare state (Social Security Act already in place from 1938) and guaranteed access to the British market exporting mostly dairy, meat, wool. NZ farmers did extremely well in the post-war picture, with import controls and tariffs protected local industries while the Government owned key sectors like rail, power, and telecommunications. There were, for Oceania, very high standard of living, often ranked among the best in the world. The situation however changed in the 1970s, but the context was favourable fo fund a large navy, much more capable that of WW2.

Already in 1948, the NZ Navy acquired two cruisers, something never happend before, but only for a short while, Bellona and Black Prince, the late Dido(mod) light cruisers, replacing the larger, leased Gambia and Achilles, returned in 1945. However their cost was such they were returned in 1956 and 1961. Meanwhile, a replacement for the first was purchased as AA cruiser, on a conversion plan in Britain that was eventually cancelled. The sold ship resulting of this was HMNZS Royalist (1954) tasked to provide AA local escort for RN Task Forces deployed “East of Suez”. Completely rebuilt and modernized, she was valuable asset until 1965, as costs were not justified when New Zealand needed ASW frigates instead.

HMNZS Waikato in Sydney, from pinterest

In this area, the RNZN already had six ex-Loch class Frigates, HMNZS Kaniere, Hawea, Pukaki, Rotoiti, Taupo, Tutira. They shared the burden of ASW defence for the whole of New Zealand waters. But their tech was WW2. Against new generation Soviet submarines, especially from 1959 and the first SSNs, like the November class, they were no longer up to the task, and were scheduled for retirement in the 1960s. This changed when the Government managed to obtain two Rothesay class Frigates originally ordered for the RN in 1956, that were delivered in 1957 to the RNZN: HMNZS Otago and Taranaki. They brough to the table all the means to face these new subs, and were the first missile ships in NZ service when their Seacat GWS22 SAM was installed. They also featured 12.75in (324mm) Mk 32 ASW tubes with the latest US acoustic torpedoes. In addition, HMS Blackpool (F77), a Whitby class, was leased for five years, from 1966 to 1971 before being returned.

But the big game changer was the acquisition of four Leander class Frigates, arguably the best British cold war Frigates. They result of a long development started in 1947. They were still ASW vessels ate the core, but with capabilities against all threats, including surface and air, armed with short range missile, an helicopter and hangar, plus artillery. Their powerplant was mature, and accomodations were the best in the series. To be exact this was done in two waves of “Broad beam”, the last variant of the Leanders, ordered in 1968: One one hand, the Waitako and Southland (ex-Dido) and on the other, the Canterbury and Wellington (ex-Bacchante), which differed a bit between them. The last two in pairs were ex-RN ships obtained by New Zealand in 1982 and 1983, for a total of four to replace the Otago class and Blackpool. Their importance is measured by the fact they lasted until after the end of the cold war and only replaced in the late 1990s by the Te Kaha class, German MEKO designs, a completely new direction.

Design of the class

Hull and general design

Being Broad Beam Leanders (Type 12I Batch 3), they were essentially the same ships as regular Leander class, but with an extra 2 ft (60 cm) in beam, at 43 feet (13.1 m) versus 12.5 metres (41 ft) for the same lenght overall 113.4 metres (372 ft). Displacement rose from 2,350 tons standard/2,860 tons full load to 2,500 tons (later 2,790 tons) standard and 2,962 tons (later 3,300 tons) full load (150t increase) with a Batch 3 engine upgrade, the Y-160 machinery. The general outlook was the Same with a stepped quarterdeck, then a flush deck and raised forecastle single block structure amidships, new bridge design, roomier hangar and flight deck for the new Westland Lynx and still capable of operating the cheaper Wasp. Air conditioning throughout, no portholes, full NBC protection. Their bow was also reinforced, in light of the “cod war” for the last batches.

Now, there were two diverging batches, standard Leander and Broad Beam. In the first even, there were differences between them, the Waikato (F55) and later Southland (ex-Dido) (F104) differed, the first displaced 2,350t and the second 2,450t standard, and 2,860t/2,960t fully loaded given the gap between them and armament. The second batch, Canterbury class, also diverged between them, at 2500/2470t standard and 3,184/3,638t. They measured all 109.7 meters between perpendicular and 113.4 meters overall. The first of course had the same beam at 12.5 meters and the second at 13.1 meters, for a draught of 5.50 max.

Powerplant

There, too, were differences between batches: The Waikato sub-class (Type 12) had two sets White-English Electric Y-136 geared steam turbines, fed by two Babcock & Wilcox boilers for 30,000 shp fora top sped of 28 knots and a range based on 460t of fuel oil, of 4,000 nm at 15 knots. The second batch, Canterbury, had broad beam improved machinery, with the latest Y-160 machinery variant, same White-English geared steam turbines fed by two Babcock & Wilcox oil-fired boilers for a total of 22,370 kilowatts (30,000 hp) on two shafts, but a top speed down to 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph) and range of 7,400 kilometres (4,600 mi; 4,000 nmi) based on 460l of fuel oil, at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph). Gears came from Vickers for this batch instead of David Brown & Co Ltd.

Protection

Passive protection was the same as the basic Leander and Broad Beam Frigates, with a double hull, heavy compartmentation, pumps, fixed and hand-held, fire xextinguisher either as sprinklers and hand-held at strategic points as well as firehoses. The ships had no armour apart thicker steel and cocks in the ammunition rooms. They were NBC protected wit sealing for all external hatches and doors as well as air conditioning.
On the active protection level, they had apparently the UA-8/9 ECM suite for which there is little data. The Type 668 was associated withe the UA-13 system as well, dating back from the early 1970s. The type 669 ECM suite thay may had been fitted as at some point, and act as OECM or Offensive ECM, but again, no data.

Present from the start also was the ADAWS-5 CCS.

They may have received alo the Corvus decoy system in the 1980s. Two sets of eight decoy (IR chaff) launching tubes mounted in two sets of three (one above the other) and crossed at 90° in azimuth at a fixed elevation of 30° with deck-mounted pedestal supports, rotating with a self-contained electrical power conversion unit and gearbox with a reversible motor.

Armament

The two batches of course diverged between them:
F55 Waikato had a quad 4 Sea Cat GWS22 SAM (12), and her main gun, twin 120mm/45 Mk 6, triple 305mm Limbo Mk 10 ASWRL, and Wasp helicopter (until modified).
F104 Southland had the same Sea Cat GWS22 but also the Australian Ikara GWS40 ASuM (30 in reserve) forwad replacing the main guns, a twin 40mm/60 Mk 9 Bofors AA, still the triple 305mm Limbo Mk 10 ASWRL, and Wasp helicopter.
Both F521 Canterbury and F69 Wellington had the same quad Sea Cat GWS22 SAM (12 Sea Cat), twin 120mm/45 Mk 6, triple 305mm Limbo Mk 10 ASWRL and Wasp, as Waikato.

QF Mk.VI mod 1 4.45-inch (113 mm)

If the Mark V was an old design, the Mark VI was a further development of the Mark IV for AA with remote power control (RPC) and high rate-of-fire assisted by automatic ramming. The mount was the UD Mark VI with separate high-angle and low-angle hoists for AA and SAP/HE rounds and a third for cartridges.

Specs:

Shell Fixed or Separate QF 113mm 640–645 mm R
24 rpm (12 rpm hand loaded backup)
Muzzle velocity: 2,449 ft/s (746 m/s)
Max range 20,750 yd (18,970 m) at 2,449 ft/s (746 m/s), ceiling 41,000 ft (12,500 m).

Sea Cat SAM

The Seacat was a short-range surface-to-air missile designed by Short and in service in 1962, so County class ships in construction could be completed by two systems installed on the broadside, each with four missiles. They were light enough to be reloaded by hand. Contrary to the Sea slug they enjoyed a considerable export success.

Specs:

Missile length : 1480 mm (58,29 inch)
Wing span : 650 mm (25,6 inch)
Body diameter motor : 191 mm (7,62 inch)
Missile weight : 62,71 kg (138,25 Lb)
Weight continuous rod warhead : 13,83 kg (30,65 Lb)
Operational range : 500 to 5000 mtrs
Speed : Mach 0,8 (272,24 mtrs/sec).
Operational oil pressure on steering cylinders during flight : between 79 and 103 Bar (1150 to 1500 lbf/ in2)
Guidance system : CLOS (Command Line Of Sight) and radio link

Ikara GWS40 ASuM (Southland)

3.4 m long, 1.5 m wingspan, weight 510–600 kg; range 10 nm; cruise speed high-subsonic. Guided by radio/command, releasing a homing torpedo suh as the US Mk 44/Mk 46 or British models in that case. The Ikara was also adopted by Brazil, Chile (Alm. Condell class) and naturally New Zealand) and used until the end of the cold war. National variants existed with different electronics and ship integration and upgraded proposals such as “Super Ikara” but they were never developed further. ASROC however offered longer stand-off with in-flight guidance to the release point.

Triple 12-in Limbo Mk 10 ASWRL

The ASW defence was located aft of the twin funnels, close to the helipad. Developed in 1950 as replacement for the Squid, the Limbo became widespread, also fitted to the Australian Daring class DDs, updated cold war River class frigates, RCN destroyers, and SAF President class Frigates. The mounts could traverse fully, the three mortars could be angled up and down and fire a 12 inches (30 cm) 400 lb depth charge from 400 yards (366 m) to 1,000 yards (914 m). The 94 kilograms (207 lb) Minol Warhead could use both proximity and/or time fuse. The whole system was slaved to the Type 170 sonar for traverse and bearing to gain reaction time. It created a pattern of three explosive charges roughly around the expected target location, creating a combined pressure wave with devastating effects. The Limbo remained active until the 1980s. It was only used on the Broad Beam Batch 3B.

324 mm US Mark 32 TTs

Typical US pattern, triple torpedo tubes, for Mark 46 acoustic torpedoes, probably Mod 1 with liquid Otto fuel piston engine and laminar search guidance, stronger hull to resist deeper waters. If they were from phase 2 (1971) they would use a new homing program to detect submarines near the surface. Mass was 508 lb (230 kg), length 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m) for a diameter of 12.75 in (323.8 mm). They carried a Warhead 96.8 lb (43.9 kg) PBXN-103 high explosive (bulk charge). The Engine powered by the Otto fuel II was a two-speed, reciprocating external combustion system for up to 40 kn (74 km/h; 46 mph) at 12,000 yd (11,000 m) and the ability to go down to 1,200 ft (370 m).

Sensors

Batch 1 (Waikato) F55 alone had the type 965 AKE-1, type 992Q, type 903, type 904, type 978 radars, type 162B, type 170B, type 184M sonars, UA-8/9, type 668 or type 669 ECM suites, but F104 Southland had the lmore modern type 1006, type 994, type 904, Ikara control radars, type 170B, type 184M, type 199 sonars, UA-8/9, type 668 or type 669 ECM suites, ADAWS-5 CCS.
Batch 2 (Canterbury) had the same type 965 AKE-1, type 993, type 903, type 904, type 978 radars, type 162M, type 184M sonars, UA-8/9, type 668 or type 669 ECM suites.

Type 965 Air Warning System

This Long-range 2D air-warning radar (surface-to-air search) was developed by Marconi (UK), working on L-band (around 214–234 MHz, 1.3–1.4 m wavelength) for a 2D targeting (range + bearing; no height data) and sporting a large twin-Yagi “Bedstead” array — a distinctive rectangular antenna frame revolving at 6 rpm. Range was up to 180–200 nautical miles (330–370 km) against large, high-altitude targets with a beam width of about 12–15°. It had PPI (Plan Position Indicator) scope at the operations room and worked with the associated IFF Type 1010 IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) often mounted alongside (see below).

Type 992Q Radar

Medium-range air/surface search and target indication radar manufactured by Marconi (UK) and deployed on the County, Leander, Rothesay, and later Type 21 and Type 42 classes. Frequency Band E/F-band (around 3 GHz, 10 cm wavelength), 2D (range and bearing; no altitude) and featuring a small parabolic dish with a distinctive orange-peel shape (enclosed in a radome on later ships) revolving at 30 rpm. Maximum Range 40–55 nautical miles (75–100 km), depending on target size and altitude for a beamwidth of 2° azimuth, narrow beam for good resolution Pulse Repetition Frequency Variable, optimized for both air and surface modes. It used a Plan Position Indicator (PPI) in the Operations Room.

Type 903 Radar

This Missile fire-control and target-tracking radar manufactured by Marconi (UK) was used to provide precise target tracking and missile guidance, nominally for the Sea Slug surface-to-air missile system, but also for the three ships of Batch 2 (Exocet/Sea Wolf). Worked on J-band (approximately 10 GHz, 3 cm wavelength), monopulse tracking radar for high accuracy, 90 km range against high-altitude aircraft depending on conditions, parabolic dish with small feed horn and stabilized mount for continuous tracking. Beamwidth was very narrow at 1° or less for high angular accuracy and it had automatic radar tracking with manual override; capable of simultaneous missile-beam tracking for a 70° coverage for high-angle tracking. Data Output Bearing, elevation, and range to the Fire Control System (FCS) and missile director.

Type 904 Navigation Radar

The 904 was the 903 associated radar set of the guided weapon system GWS 22. Full data and declassified documentation.

Type 978 Radar

This system first tested on HMS Blake in 1961 operated in X-band using a ‘double cheese’ antenna, the upper half transmitting and the lower half receiving. It was based on the commercial Decca 45, which had a power of 20 kW, a rotation of rate of 24 rpm and a beamwidth of 1.2º. Maximum range 40 miles; minimum range 50 yards with a 0.2 μs pulse. Range discrimination 50 yards on 1 mile scale. Bearing accuracy 1º.

GWS 20

The Seacat missile system installed used the GWS 20 optically guided system on the Batch 3A/3B as it was used by the Sea Cat and Sea Wolf.

Sonars

Type 162 “Cockchafer” bottom scanning, side-looking shipboard sonar. Classifies objects at mid-depth and on the sea floor, the three transducers working together to provide a profile of the area surrounding the ship. The starboard and port transducers look to the sides, and the centre transducer looks downward.
Sonar Type 184: Hull-mounted for ASW detection and ranging; medium-frequency (around 15–25 kHz range), for active and passive detection modes.
Type 170B Sonar: Attack beam of 10 degree, depth slant range type.

Air Group

The Waikato and Canterbury all used the Wasp, albeit the Canterbury could be upgraded to the Lynx. Waikato had her original hangar enlarged for a Lynx. In 1998, Canterbury received a new hangar for a SH-2F/G SeaSprite helicopter, making for a very diverse park.

Modifications

Wellington and Canterbury had their MRS 3 fire control and ADAWS-5 combat system replaced by RCA’s R-76 and MUSL’s Nautis-F between 1984 and 1992, and Canterbury received a Signaal LW-08 surveillance radar in place of type 956. In 1977, Waikato had her Limbo ASWRL and Wasp helicopter removed, as well as her old type 992Q radars and type 170B sonar. She received two triple US pattern 324mm TTs, her hangar was enlarged for a Lynx helicopter, and the had the type 993 radar. In 1985, Wellington saw the removal of her Limbo ASWRL, her type 978, type 903, type 993 radars for the addition of four single 0.5-in cal. or 12.7/mm90 Browning M2HB, two triple 324mm Mk 32 mod.5 TT (Mk 46 mod.2), and as sensors the type 1006, R76C5, type 994 radars, and twp Mk 36 SRBOC decoy rocket launchers to deal with missiles.

The last wave of upgrades were made in the 1990s. In 1990, HMNZS Canterbury also saw the remova of her antiquated 305mm Limbo ASWRL, as well as her type 965 AKE-1, type 903, type 978, type 993 radars and her type 184M sonar, plus her UA-8/9 and type 668/669 ECM suites. Instead she received the same armament as Wellington, and sensors suite (see above) but the addition of the LW-08, and G750 sonar, as well as the AR-700 ECM suite. She also had a pair of Mk 36 SRBOC decoy RL.

In 1993, Canterbury received the NAUTIS F Combat Control System and the next year, her Sea Cat SAM and type 904 radar were removed for the addition of a 6-tubes gatling 20mm/76 Mk 15 Phalanx, and the Mk 90 radar. In 1998, Canterbury her hangar and helicopter deck were enlarged like Waikato in 1977 but for a SH-2F/G SeaSprite helicopter, not a Lynx. In 2000 she had her CIWS and MK 90 radar removed.

⚙ specifications
Displacement	2350 (2450t*) standard, 2960t FL, see notes
Dimensions	113.4 meters x 12.5/13.1 meters x 5.50 meters
Propulsion	2 shafts White-English Electric Y-136 GST, 2 Babcock & Wilcox boilers: 30,000 shp
Speed	28 kts
Range	oil 460t, 4,000 nm/15 kts
Armament*	Sea Cat GWS22 SAM (12), 120mm/45 Mk 6, Limbo Mk 10 ASWRL, Wasp helicopter
Protection	UA-8/9, type 668/669 ECM suite
Sensors**	Type 965 AKE-1, 992Q, 903, 904, 978 radars, type 162B, type 170B, type 184M sonars
Air Group	Westland Wasp (Lynx (1977) or Seasprite (1998) modernizations)
Crew	263 (267*)

*Southlands Ikara GWS40 ASuM (30), 2x 40mm/60 Mk 9 AA
**Southlands Type 1006, 994, 904, Ikara FCR, type 184M/199 sonars, ADAWS-5 CCS

Modernization

In 1977, Waikato saw the removal of her 305mm Limbo ASWRL and Wasp helicopter, as well as its radar and sonar. Instead she was fitted with two triple US Mark 46 324mm Ttorpe tubes, and her hangar enlarged to receive a Lynx helicopter, as well as the type 993 radar.

Career of the Waikato class

RNZN frigates in Wellington Harbour, 1980

Waikato was laid down at Harland and Wolff, Belfast on 10 January 1964, launched on 18 February 1965 and commissioned on 19 September 1966 as a Batch 2 with Towed Array. For 9 years of RNZN service, Waikato took part in the ANZUK naval squadron based at Singapore, but was eventually in reduced service from 1971–75 with the Royal Navy relieving her. From 1975 Royal Navy task forces continued visited New Zealand and Australia for exercises until 1983. This changed post-Falklands. In 1975–77, Waikato had her mid-life refit to the specifications of her sister HMNZS Canterbury, loosing her ASW mortar and VDS wells for an enlarged helicopter landing pad for Lynx helicopters (never ordered) and closed circuit TV to monitor helicopter operations. The radar suite was updated to the 1976 RN standards. It was a more austere upgrade than her sister HMNZS Wellington.

Recommissioned under command of Captain Ian Bradley, Waikato rescued a seriously injured fishermen from the Soviet trawler Ardatov with her old Wasp flown by Lieutenant Joe Tunicliffe in rough sea conditions. On this 15 November she visited the Bounty Islands, southeast of South Island in heavy weather while in a forenoon a Russian fishing vessel called for assistance for a critically injured seaman. She altered course at flank speed until flying range. Several unsuccessful attempts were made to locate the ship, detected 60 miles from its reported position the following afternoon. Winched off the ship, taken on board, the sailor was flown to hospital at 3.30 am the next morning and Lt. Joe Tunnicliffe received the Air Force Cross, Chief Medical Assistant Bill Filmer the British Empire Medal for gallantry.

In January 1978 while escorting tUSS Pintado into Auckland she faced an armada of anti-nuclear protest yachts blocking their way. Waikato ran into the harbour ahead of Pintado and used her Wasp helicopter and another RNZN Wasp to fly low and agresively and try to disperse the protesters, creating downdraft to destabilise them and tipping them over. Reported by the press this became a controversial move, but obtained the desired effect as Pintado proceeded to its berth and no one was hurt. This was however never done again. Waikato escorted USS Haddo into Auckland with less drama in February 1979 under Cmdr Ian Hunter. in a combined RNZN and Police operation. Waikato went training at Pearl Harbor with the USN and RIMPAC with the Canadian fleet. Commander Bradley positioned Waikato to land a USN Sea King with zero fuel. During and after the Falklands war, Waikato was part of the Armilla patrol, freeing RN ships for deployment. She alternated with her sister HMNZS Canterbury. Both saw Colombo, Karachi, Mauritius, Zanzibar, Port Sudan, Muscat, Oman and Diego Garcia.

In July and August 1990, Waikato took part in Operation BIGTALK, for the ongoing civil conflict in and around Bougainville. She showed the flag for a peace accord between the two warring factions, the “Endeavour Accord”, supported by HMNZS Endeavour. Commendations were issued to the whole crew. On 23 February 2017, it was announced a NZOSM had been awarded to personnel involved. HMNZS Waikato was decommissioned in 1998, sold by the government for $1 at Opua port to be stripped off, sunk off the coast of Tutukaka on 18 December 2000 as an artificial reef.

As a result of the 1981 Defence Review, recommending the disposal of older frigates, HMS Dido, second Leander class (Ikara batch), was sold to the RNZN along with HMS Bacchante. She was already 18-year-old, and was selected to train RNZN personnel on computerised command and control systems. Her ADWAS 5 was however dated, with just 4 screens and 1/4 processing capacity of the later Leanders with their T21, C4 CAAIS. The order was contested at the time in NZ as “old, over specialised anti submarine frigate” without surface armament or potent surveillance radar. Plus they lacked a gas turbine unlike the new RNZ policy. HMS Lynx and HMS Lincoln were also offered but rejected given their age and lack of helicopter capability. The gas turbine powered HMS Zulu and HMS Norfolk werea also rejected as too old as well and having too diverging equipments and excessive manning requirements. Other Ikara Frigates were considered for sale, HMS Leander, HMS Ajax and HMS Naiad. However they diverged a lot from the Austrlian Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyers for combined exercises.

Southland received a 5-month and $15 million refit at Vosper Thornycroft, recommissioned on 18 July 1983 as HMNZS Southland (Limbo mortar and VDS, Type 170 and 199 sonars retired). The US Mk 32 torpedo tubes were fitted but she was still tested and fixed until late December 1983 and following months with several workups at Portland. She took part in RN Royal Navy and NATO exercises beafore leaving for home by mid-1984. In 1986 a major refit notably to upgrade her Ikara capability until the mid-1990s was envisioned, like the one done on HMS Arethusa with the new long range 2031 towed array capable of passive detection in a 160 km range. The RAN planned such upgrade also for a while. But quotes for refitting Southland proved too steep, and by 1989 with the cold war ending and the RN and USN withdrawing nuclear depth charges intended for RN Ikara Leanders they were seen no longer useful. The Ikara system was withdrawn from the RNZN in 1989 and followed by a low cost refit locally to operate until 1993. Southland was decommissioned on 1 March 1995. In November, she was towed to the Philippines for her boilers to be removed, installed in a rubber plantation. She was towed to Singapore, sold to an Indian tug company, sent to Goa beach to be scrapped for parts.

HMNZS Canterbury (F421) underway at sea circa 1996
Canterbury was laid down at Yarrow Shipbuilders, Glasgow on 12 June 1969, launched on 6 May 1970, commissioned on 22 October 1971 but the order went ahead after some controversy from Robert Muldoon, minister of finances. She was built in modular form in 25 sections welded together on the slipway. However they had operations room, messing and helicopter facilities older than the current RN 1969 patterns. She had later her wells for Limbo mortars and VDS replaced and plated over for a larger helicopter landing area plus close circuit TV system but the original Westland Wasp was kept as no Lynx was ever ordered. Still, this system pioneered remote flight deck operations, enabling operation from the ships operation room, innovations refitted to most of the Royal Navy Leander fleet.

In 1968, the NZ government studied adoption of US weapons systems and the Mk 32 anti-submarine torpedo tubes were fitted with a stock of Mark 46 torpedoes in addition to the Mk 44 torpedoes to replace the Limbo and rearm the Wasp. But the Edo sonar and chaff decoys of Anglo-French AS-12 missiles were not adopted. In service she performed 960,000 nautical miles (44 circumnavigations of the Earth) housing 559 officers and 3,269 ratings. Her delivery voyage up the Potomac River to Washington was the first such since the British raid in 1814, with a barbecue held on the ship to promote New Zealand lamb.

French nuclear tests prompted Canterbury to be deployed at Moruroa Atoll in 1973 as a symbolic protest. GP computer assessed the radiation level and electronic warfare sniffers detected an approaching French P-2 Neptune flying low with radar trying to spot unwanted naval, protest yacht and submarine activity. She was present when the ‘Melpomène’ nuclear test was done on 28 July 1973. The campaign ended in 1974. She was later cited as a factor why France never again conducted atmospheric testing. One consequence was the attack on the Rainbow Warrior in 1985. The frigate was later deployed with the US 5th fleet (Pacific) on the West Coast for six months; a first, albeit this was common for the RAN. Back home she carried the insigna of US DESRON 5. But lack of funding by the next government to adopt the common Link 10 data link communication system and HYCOR chaff defence systems was cancelled and further deployments with the USN as well.

In April 1977, Canterbury and HMAS Brisbane were assigned to escort HMAS Melbourne in her 5-month return trip in the UK for the Silver Jubilee Naval Review. She received only a 12-month refit in 1980 to maximise seatime, and her life refit was delayed to Nov 1987-June 1990 at $73 million, fitted with the Dutch LW08 long range surveillance radar, Phoenix EW systems and radar and sonar with new solid state systems but she did not receive extra fuel tanks. The Falkland wars prompted PM Robert Muldoon to offer her frigate for the RN task force sailing south, declined by the British government possibly due to her lack of upgrades and age. Instead with her sister she relieved the British frigate squadron in the Persian Gulf. At some point there she was shadowed by Soviet warships and a TU-142 “Bear” surveillance aircraft.

After a refit comparable to her sister HMNZS Wellington, except for the extra fuel tanks she was still criticized. BY 1991 an audit of the office review of the refit raised issues over the laxk of long range air surveillance. She took part in the Armilla patrols in 1982–83 but were later denied returning in the Persian Gulf due to degarded relations with Bahrain. Canterbury and Galatea were awarded the Wilkinson Sword of Peace for their TOD later. She later took part in the 75th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and toures the US between Hawaii, San Diego and San Francisco. She took part also in the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Crete in May 1991, last ship in the Royal New Zealand Navy with the white funnel stripe as a senior ship within the 11th Frigate Squadron. In 1996 she took part in the embargo against Iraq, Operation Delphic and visited China in 1987 while being part of many humanitarian and peace-keeping missions notably at the Samoa, Fiji or New Guinea and ha a TOD on East Timor as part of the INTERFET peacekeeping taskforce, patrolling between 26 September to 12 December 1999, tense when approached by Indonesian naval vessels and Hawk jets. She was the Dili guard ship and escorted HMAS Tobruk landing a New Zealand infantry battalion in East Timor. Her systems availability rate was praised.

In the early 2000s still, mechanical faults were constant and by October 2003, a fire broke out in the auxiliary switchboard while off the Chatham Islands. Two ratings (New Zealand Order of Merit) quelled the flames and saved the ship. The repairs still cost NZ$1 million. It was hoped to acquire in place the Type 23 frigate Grafton but she was sold to Chile. She was decommissioned in 2005, and plans to convert her as floating hostel fell through after a 2004 inspection revealing grave corrosion. It was proposed to scuttle her as a dive wreck at Deep Water Cove close to Tui and Waikato already there off the Tutukaka Coast. Her stripping was scrutinized by the Department of Conservation until late 2006 and she was scuttled on 3 November 2007 by imported plastic explosives, 14 kg (31 lb) total. Being mostly intact, she is popular to divers. A ban on fishery around the deck is observed til today as a safe haven for local fauna.

Note, no CC photo of Wellington, this is Bacchante in 1976 off Barhein
The ex-HMS Bacchante of the second acquisition was a former Broad Beam originally ordered from Vickers-Armstrong in the Tyne, laid down on 25 October 1966, launched on 29 February 1968 and completed on 5 December 1969. She was sold to NZ on 4 October 1982. On decommissioning she was bought for one dollar by the “Sink F69 Trust”. She was active until 2000 and decommissioned (no particular event). She was also never modernized. On 13 November 2005, after cleaning and removal of all environmentally unfriendly materials, she was sunk as artificial reef, under 25 m(82 ft) of water, 800 m (2,600 ft) offshore from Island Bay, near Wellington.

Read More/Src

Links

wiki Leander class
navypedia.org Canterbury
navypedia.org Waikato
navypedia.org (generic NZ)
Sensors