The first of two frigates built for the Philippines Navy was launched by Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea.

At a launch ceremony this week, the Royal New Zealand Navy’s (RNZN) first purpose-built ship in 10 years, the HMNZS Aotearoa, finally found herself in her natural environment only eight months after her keel was laid in a South Korean shipyard, the RNZN press office announced on April 25.

The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) future HMNZS Aotearoa is a new Polar-class support vessel being built by South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) as part of the Maritime Sustainment Capability project. A picture shared by the RNZN shows the stern section and flight deck are now completed.