뉴질랜드, 차기 호위함 후보를 모가미급 개량형과 31형 호위함으로 압축

[위종민]

뉴질랜드도 안작급 호위함 2척의 대체 프로그램을 추진중인데 최종 후보로 모가미급 개량형과 31형 호위함이 경쟁무대에 올라섰네요. 

일본-호주 대 영국의 싸움이네요. 누가 이겨도 놀랍지 않은 대결입니다 ㅎㅎㅎ 

뉴질랜드, 차기 호위함 후보를 두 종류로 압축
작성자 Gordon Arthur
2026년 5월 12일

Anzac

RNZN의 Anzac급 호위함 2척 — 1990년대 호주 해군의 8척과 함께 건조되었다 — 은 향후 10년 내 교체될 예정이다. (Gordon Arthur)

5월 7일 뉴질랜드의 신임 국방장관 Chris Penk는 뉴질랜드 왕립해군(RNZN)의 Anzac급 호위함 2척 교체 사업 진행 상황에 대한 업데이트를 제공했다. 후보군은 두 종류로 압축되었다.

경쟁 설계안 가운데 하나는 일본의 6,200톤급 개량형 Mogami 호위함이며, 다른 하나는 Babcock의 Arrowhead 140 선체 설계를 기반으로 한 영국의 5,700톤급 Type 31 호위함이다.

이번 호위함 교체 프로그램은 해군의 Maritime Fleet Renewal 프로그램 일부로, 현대적이며 전투 능력을 갖춘 함대를 구축하기 위한 방안을 검토하고 있다. 2025년 4월 발표된 2025 Defence Capability Plan은 Anzac급 호위함 교체를 2029~39년 기간의 주요 투자 사업으로 명시했다.

장관 성명은 “국방부는 잠재적 호위함 교체 및 지속적인 운용 지원 체계의 다음 단계를 구체화하기 위해 호주 왕립해군(RAN) 및 영국 왕립해군과 논의를 시작했다”고 밝혔다.

Penk 장관은 이어 “우리의 파트너들과의 논의를 우선시하고, 호주가 선택한 일본 Mogami급 호위함과 영국 Type 31 호위함을 사업 검토의 기초로 고려하기로 한 결정은 상호운용성과 효율성 활용 필요성을 반영한 것”이라고 말했다.

이에 대해 5월 11일 일본 관방장관 Minoru Kihara는 뉴질랜드가 06FFM 호위함 검토를 결정한 것을 환영했다. 그는 “이는 호주 해군을 포함한 3국 간 상호운용성 향상뿐 아니라 상호보완성 강화로도 이어질 수 있다. 인도·태평양 지역 억지력 강화를 고려할 때 이는 유익할 것”이라고 말했다.

호주는 같은 개량형 Mogami를 선택했으며, 4월 18일 첫 3척 생산 계약을 체결했다. 호주 왕립해군은 이 범용 호위함 11척을 도입할 예정이며, 이 가운데 8척은 서호주에서 건조될 계획이다.

일본 호위함의 강점 가운데 하나는 뉴질랜드가 가능한 한 호주와 공통 장비를 도입하길 원한다는 점이다. Defence Capability Plan은 “뉴질랜드는 타당한 경우 호주와 동일한 자산 및 장비를 조달하려 할 것이다. 이는 상호운용성을 높이는 데 도움이 될 것”이라고 밝혔다.

만약 뉴질랜드가 개량형 Mogami 호위함 2척을 도입한다면 — 이는 호주에서 건조될 가능성이 높다 — 호주·일본·뉴질랜드를 합친 총 37척 규모의 Mogami급 공동 운용 체계가 형성될 수 있다.

그러나 뉴질랜드는 영국과도 긴밀한 군사 관계를 유지하고 있다. Type 31은 내년 영국 해군 취역 예정이며, Arrowhead 140 설계는 인도네시아와 폴란드에서도 채택되었다.

뉴질랜드는 여전히 정보를 수집 중이며, 최종 결정까지는 아직 시간이 남아 있다. Penk 장관은 “우리는 뉴질랜드 요구사항에 맞춰 충분한 분석이 가능한 단계에 있는 성숙한 전투형 함정 프로그램들을 검토하고 있다. 아직 최종 결정은 내려지지 않았으며, 2027년 말 이전 내각에 권고안이 제출될 것으로 예상된다”고 설명했다.

Penk 장관은 또한 “외딴 섬 국가인 뉴질랜드에게 해양안보는 경제적 번영의 기반이다. 우리의 안전, 국제 연결성, 그리고 대다수 무역은 바다에 의존하고 있다”고 말했다.

그는 뉴질랜드 군이 자국 해역 활동 감시, 전투·초계·차단 작전 수행, 해상 수송, 수색·구조 지원 등을 수행해야 한다고 언급했다.

“이러한 활동은 회복력 있는 해군에 의존하고 있지만, 현재 함대 대부분은 2030년대 중반 설계 수명 종료 시점에 도달할 것으로 예상되며, 여기에는 Anzac급 호위함도 포함된다. 교체가 이루어지지 않는다면 이는 뉴질랜드가 태평양 및 그 너머에서 해양 이익을 보호하는 능력에 중대한 영향을 미칠 것이다.”

RNZN은 현재 1997년과 1999년에 각각 취역한 기존 호위함 HMNZS Te Kaha와 Te Mana에 대한 업그레이드를 계속 진행 중이다. Penk 장관은 “그동안 현재 호위함들이 계속 운용 가능하도록 유지하고 있다. 우리는 이것이 뉴질랜드에 매우 중요한 결정이 될 것임을 알고 있으며, 파트너들과 협력하고 우리의 최선의 이익에 집중하며 올바른 결정을 내리기 위해 노력하고 있다”고 말했다.

작성 Gordon Arthur, 쿠알라룸푸르

New Zealand narrows frigate contenders to two - Asian Military Review

New Zealand narrows frigate contenders to two

By

 Gordon Arthur

 -

May 12, 2026

The RNZN’s two Anzac-class frigates – which were built alongside Australia’s eight frigates in the 1990s – are due for replacement in the next decade. (Gordon Arthur)

On 7 May, New Zealand’s new Defence Minister Chris Penk provided an update on progress to replace the Royal New Zealand Navy’s (RNZN) two Anzac-class frigates. The pool of contenders has been winnowed down to two.

One competing design is the Japanese 6,200-tonne Upgraded Mogami frigate, while the other is the British 5,700-tonne Type 31 frigate based on Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 hull design.

This frigate replacement programme is one part of the navy’s Maritime Fleet Renewal programme, which is assessing options for delivering a modern and combat capable fleet. The 2025 Defence Capability Plan released in April 2025 listed replacement of the Anzac frigates as an indicative investment for the 2029-39 period.

The minister’s statement revealed: “Defence has begun discussions with the Royal Australian Navy [RAN] and the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy to inform the next stage for potential frigate replacement and ongoing service arrangements.”

Penk added: “Our decision to prioritise discussions with our partners and focus on considering the Japanese Mogami-class frigate selected by Australia and the UK’s Type 31 frigates to inform the business case reflects our need to be interoperable and leverage efficiencies.”

In response, on 11 May, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara welcomed NZ’s decision to consider the 06FFM frigate. He said, “It could lead not only to improved interoperability among the three countries, including the Australian navy, but also greater mutual complementarity. From the perspective of strengthening deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region, this would be beneficial.”

Australia selected the same Upgraded Mogami, signing a production contract for the first three frigates on 18 April. The RAN will procure eleven of these general-purpose frigates, with eight planned to be constructed in Western Australia.

In the Japanese frigate’s favour is NZ’s expressed desire to buy equipment in common with Australia wherever possible. The Defence Capability Plan stated, “New Zealand will seek to procure the same assets and equipment as Australia where it makes sense to do so. This will help with interoperability.”

If NZ did buy two Upgraded Mogami frigates – likely constructed in Australia – this would create a combined Australian-Japanese-Kiwi class of 37 Mogami-class frigates.

However, NZ also maintains close military links to the UK. The Type 31 is supposed to enter Royal Navy service next year, while the Arrowhead 140 design has been selected for Indonesia and Poland too.

NZ is still collecting information, with a decision not due for some time yet. Penk explained, “…We are looking at mature combat-capable vessel programmes which are at a stage that allows adequate analysis against New Zealand requirements. A final decision has not yet been made, and advice is expected to be provided to Cabinet before the end of 2027.”

Penk also stated, “As a remote island nation, maritime security underpins New Zealand’s economic prosperity. Our safety, international connectivity and the vast majority of our trade is dependent on the sea.”

The minister noted that the country’s military must monitor activity in national waters, undertake combat, patrol and interception operations, transport people and equipment by sea, and support search and rescue efforts.

“These activities rely on a resilient navy, yet most ships in the current fleet are expected to reach the end of their design life by the mid-2030s, including the Anzac-class frigates. Without replacement, this would have a significant impact on New Zealand’s ability to protect its maritime interests in the Pacific and beyond.”

The RNZN continues to upgrade its two incumbent frigates, HMNZS Te Kaha and Te Mana, commissioned in 1997 and 1999 respectively. Penk shared, “In the interim, we are continuing to ensure the current frigates remain operational. We know this will be a significant decision for New Zealand, and we are determined to work with our partners, focus on what is in our best interests and get it right.”

by Gordon Arthur, Kuala Lumpur