HMNZS Te Mana is the Royal New Zealand Navy’s second Anzac-class frigate. The contractor for her communications system has subcontracted RF Products. Credit: New Zealand Defence Force.

After New Zealand’s Ministry of Defence announced it had awarded the UK supplier Systems Engineering and Assessments (SEA) a $32.9m contract to install a modern communications system in its two Anzac-class frigates, the contractor has recently subcontracted RF Products Inc to deliver a multi-mode, multi-band radio frequency (RF) system on the ships.

The Navy commissioned its two Anzac-class frigates – Te Kaha (F77) and Te Mana (F111) – in 1997 and 1999 respectively.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Anzac has one eight-cell Mk41 vertical launching system for Nato Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missiles. Sea Sparrow is a semi-active radar missile with a range of 14.5km.

Radio frequency communications

Meanwhile, the new subcontractor RF Products has been in business with the Royal New Zealand Navy since 1991 and has over 100 years of experience in RF Tuning. The New Jersey-based company will be providing their VHF/UHF Multi-Mode, Multi-Band RF Distribution System to support the bespoke SEA system’s open architecture.

The system’s open architecture will also meet interoperability requirements, allowing the Royal New Zealand Navy to communicate with partner navies and support missions with friendly countries such as neighbouring Australia.

The system will allow FSC radio system operators to adapt platform external communications more easily to changes in mission focus.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Reducing further costs until Anzac replacement

The bespoke SEA system reduces through-life costs and associated maintenance of the frigate’s new communication capability. The flexible, modular system will enable the Navy to integrate equipment, including cryptos and radios, regardless of the manufacturer or supplier.

Reducing through-life costs will help until the Navy replaces its two ships in the near future. GlobalData expects the two Anzacs will be replaced as the navy procured them in 1997-1999. New Zealand’s frigate procurement will cost around $1.5bn; another planned programme for the Southern Ocean Patrol Vessel will cost approximately $400m.