HMNZS Wellington Military Ship Details

The Protector class consists of two offshore patrol vessels operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy since 2010. Built by Tenix (later BAE Systems) in Australia under Project Protector, the ships HMNZS Otago and HMNZS Wellington were designed for long-endurance maritime security and resource protection across New Zealand’s large Exclusive Economic Zone, the Southern Ocean and the South Pacific. They feature a hangar and flight deck capable of operating a Super Seasprite or light utility helicopter, multiple rigid-hull inflatable boats, and facilities to embark personnel from civil agencies such as Customs, Fisheries and Police. The class provides the RNZN with a dedicated platform for fisheries protection, border security, search and rescue, and support to government agencies while freeing the Anzac-class frigates for higher-intensity tasks.