The Royal New Zealand Navy’s first of two Anzac-class frigates, HMNZS Te Kaha (F77), has been exercising alongside Australian ships to hone its operational capability.

HMNZS Te Kaha’s exercises focused on increasing operational capability, war-fighting abilities and close quarters manoeuvring under red threat-warnings.

They included anti-submarine and anti-air warfare serials, a minefield transit, as naval gunfire support and a high-pressure boat transfer to uplift vital personnel and stores.

The 118m-long vessel has a displacement capacity of 3,600t, can cruise at a speed of 50km/h and carries a Seasprite SH-2G multi-purpose helicopter.

The frigate is equipped with an automatic lightweight gun, Sea Sparrow missile system, Phalanx close-in weapon system, torpedo tubes and other small arms.