TE KAHA HMNZS (F 77) frigate

[aukepalmhof]

Built as a frigate by Tenex Defence Pty. Ltd. Shipyard, Melbourne for the New Zealand Navy.
? Ordered.
22 July 1995 launched under the name HMNZS TE KAHA (F 77), a Maori word for “fighting prowess” or “strength”. She was one of the Anzac class, two were built for New Zealand, eight for Australia so far.
Displacement 3.600 tons standard. Dim. 118 x 14.8 x 6.2m. (draught)
Powered by Combined diesel or gas turbine (CODOG), 1 GE LM 2500 Gas turbine, 30.000 shp. and 2 MTU 12V 1163 diesel engines, 8.500 hp., speed 27+ knots., twin shafts, pitch propellers.
Range 6.000 mile by 18 knots.
Armament: 1 – 5 inch gun. Eight cell vertical launch system for Sea Sparrow Mk 41 SAM air defence missile. 2 – 12.7 mm MG.
PHALANX close in weapon system. 2 MK 32 Mod 5 surface vessel torpedo tubes.
One helicopter aft a Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite.
Crew 177.
22 July 1997 commissioned at Auckland.

It was joint project with Australia and a variant of the MEKO200 design, parts of the frigates were built in Australia and New Zealand, and the class was assembled at the yard in Melbourne.

She was involved in the September 1999 United Nations led landings in East Timor.
During the 2000 – 2001 conflict in the Solomon Islands, was she also used.
When the Prime Minister of New Zealand Helen Clark visited the Tokelau Islands on 08 August 2004 the TE KAHA showed the flag there before she headed for her deployment in South East Asia.
2010 Still in service.

Tokelau 2005 40c/$2.50 sg?, scott?

Source: http://www.navy.mil.nz/visit-the-fleet/ ... efault.htm

For the past 60 years, New Zealanders have been serving continually in peace-support operations around the world. The duties that these dedicated men and women undertake are crucial to the work of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), and are honoured in this special stamp issue.
Whilst lesser known than our involvement in the world wars, peace-support operations have been a major part of the activities that New Zealand undertakes as a ‘good international citizen’. 2013 is the 60th anniversary of the armistice of the Korean War, and since this time we have deployed to many overseas locations, mainly but not exclusively supporting United Nations (UN) operations.
In recent years the NZDF has made major commitments to Bosnia (1992-2007), Timor-Leste (1999-2012), the Solomon Islands (2003-present) and Afghanistan (2003-2013), as well as providing ongoing support to Antarctica during its summer season. In 2013 many of these overseas commitments will come to an end, including the scheduled withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.
The stamps in this issue highlight six overseas operations in which our service personnel have shown dedication to achieving peace and security. A first day cover featuring the iconic poppy is also available.
$2.40 - Antarctica
Antarctica is one of the NZDF’s specialist areas of operation, utilising the right skills and equipment to cope with this challenging environment. The NZDF has been involved in Antarctica for more than 50 years, and the $2.40 stamp shows New Zealand ANZAC class frigate TE KAHA patrolling Antarctic waters, 1999.
New Zealand 2013 $2.40 sg?, scott?
New Zealand Post web-site.