Today, Royal New Zealand Navy frigate HMNZS TE MANA currently in the Tasman Sea off the East Coast of Australia test fired a NATO Sea Sparrow missile. These firings are conducted once every two years and provide a significant opportunity to prove system operations and the ships operational preparedness. The missile used is a Telemetry version of the warshot carried by the ANZAC frigates with performance of the missile monitored and later analysed.

NATO Sea Sparrow missile fired from HMNZS TE MANA, an ANZAC class frigate of the RNZN while on exercise off the Australian East Coast.

Maritime Component Commander, Commodore Jack Steer said, “the missile firing highlights one of the higher end capabilities of the New Zealand Defence Force and tests the readiness of the crew and the ship to meet this output”.

TE MANA is embarking upon a 4 ½ month Asian deployment and will be joined by the Navy tanker HMNZS ENDEAVOUR next week. HMNZS ENDEAVOUR will be sailing from Devonport Naval Base at 10am Tuesday 22 March.

The deployment will see both ships representing New Zealand in a variety of operational exercises, activities and Defence Diplomacy visits to Japan, Russia and, China before returning to New Zealand.

ENDS

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