RNZN conducts training exercise with Fighter Jets NZ ahead of deployment

Recently, the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) conducted a training exercise with Tauranga based Fighter Jets NZ. The jets used were three of Fighter Jets NZ’s Aero L-39C Albatros’.

During the exercise, the L-39s were used to identify and track simulated missle threats on RNZN vessels.

Two Fighter Jets NZ L-39s off the coast of Tauranga with HMNZS Te Mana and Aotearoa below | Photo: RNZN

The RNZN utilised the jets to reharse inbound threat reposonses targeted at HMNZS Te Mana and Aotearoa.

Te Mana’s combat systems successfully detected, tracked, and evaluated simulated inbound threats in sufficient time to coordinate effective defensive responses for itself and Aotearoa.

This type of exercise is critical to ensure Te Mana’s radar tracking and weapons systems meets battle-worthiness standards to evaluate local area air defence requirements for task group missions later this year.

The two vessels have now embarked on a deployment to take part in Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), a large scale military exercise held around the Hawaiian Islands. The exercise is held in July and August and brings together 31 nations, around 40 surface ships, five submarines, more than 140 aircraft and more than 25,000 personnel.

One of the L-39 jets flying low level over HMNZS Te Mana | Photo: RNZN

This is the third occasion recently where the RNZAF has teamed up with Fighter Jets NZ for training. The first of these exercises occurred last October when the New Zealand Army utilised the jets to simulate realistic close air support missions near Taupō. Then earlier this year, the RNZN conducted training with the jets at RNZAF Base Auckland.

“Fighter Jets NZ was an experienced and professional organisation that can draw on experience from across the aviation industry to support the [New Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF)] training objectives, Lieutenant Colonel Morris said.