Naval News reports that the New Zealand Navy has commissioned what I believe is a one of a kind vessel, a Polar class underway replenishment vessel, HMNZS Aotearoa (not that it is an icebreaker, no icebreaking bow).
There is an excellent description of this ship here.
(Anyone know if the Polar Security cutters can do underway replenishment?)
Unlike US Navy replenishment ships, this will be armed and have a military crew.
I doubt the ice-strengthening and winterization really cost a whole lot. With the Arctic opening up, maybe the Navy should be thinking about something like this.
Scale her down and add a second prop. Maybe good for buoy work in north. Another Storis-like ship? I would not want R2D2 on the bow.
It has two propellers according to the NZDF https://www.scribd.com/document/460808126/HMNZS-Aotearoa-fact-sheet
Have to agree about that phalanx placement, wettest spot ever. Will nev work.
Back in February the USCG sent out a solicitation for major cutter subject matter experts who are interested in participating in a operational assessment for the Polar Security Cutter (PSC). This does mention underway replenishment but this is the only indication of UNREP capability on the PSC that I have seen.
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCG/bulletins/27e599a
Who’s constructing this vessel? It looks very much like the Dutch Navy’s Combat Support Vessel…
( https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/07/rohde-schwarz-communication-systems-for-the-royal-netherlands-navys-combat-support-ship/ )
It was built in South Korea.