A New Zealand navy frigate on Thursday set sail to join the multinational counter-piracy task force in the Gulf of Aden, Defense Minister Jonathan Coleman said.
HMNZS Te Mana left Darwin after almost three months of specialist training in Australia in preparation for the deployment, Coleman said in a statement.
“A secure maritime environment is vital to economic prosperity and regional security. It is important nations work together to address the global challenges to maritime security,” said Coleman.
“New Zealand has a direct interest in supporting the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and protecting shipping lanes, with a large volume of our trade carried by shipping. Piracy affects all countries with shipping trade going through the Suez Canal.”
HMNZS Te Mana would operate as part of Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151) for three months, returning to New Zealand in March next year.
The New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF) had four staff officers deployed to support CTF-151 headquarters, and three New Zealand navy sailors were also deployed on Australian navy vessel HMAS Melbourne, conducting maritime security patrols in the region.
Next year, the NZDF would deploy up to 14 staff officers to CTF- 151, two additional personnel to Headquarters CMF, and a P3-K2 Orion aircraft.
A New Zealand navy frigate was last deployed in 2008 to support counter-terrorism operations.
New Zealand navy ship en route to join anti-piracy force in Gulf of Aden