THE 2,600-TOM TARANAKI, THE LATEST AND FASTEST ROYAL NEW ZEALAND NAVY'S FRIGATE TO JOIN THE BRITISH FAR EASTERN FLEET IS NOW ON EXERCISE IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.

TWIN RUDDERS GIVE THE SHIP THE EXTREME MANOEUVRABILITY REQUIRED OF AN ANTI-SUBMARINE FRIGATE. SHE IS FITTED WITH THE MOST MODERN ANTI-SUBMARINE EQUIPMENT CARRIED IN HER MAJESTY'S SHIPS. A NEW LONG-RANGE ASDIC OR SONAR SET GIVES INCREASED DETECTION CAPABILITIES.

AT CLOSER RANGES, THE 'ATTACK ASDIC' FEEDS INFORMATION INTO AN ELECTRONIC COMPUTER WHICH IN TURN CONTROLS THE TWIN THREE-BARREL ANTI-SUBMARINE MORTARS TO FIRE AN EXPLOSIVE PATTERN OF CHARGES SET TO FIRE AT THE DEPTH OF THE SUBMARINE.

SURFACE ARMAMENT INCLUDES A TWIN 4.5-INCH TURRET RADAR-CONTROLLED, WITH A HIGH RATE OF FIRE. THE FRIGATE IS EQUIPPED WITH SEACAT, AN ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUIDED MISSILE.

INFLATABLE LIFE RAFTS ARE STOWED IN FIBRE GLASS CONTAINERS AND THERE IS A THREE-IN-ONE WHALER WHICH CAN BE SAILED, PULLED OR MOTORED. IN ADDITION, THERE IS AN AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE EXCHANGE AND A POWER HOIST FOR THE SHIP'S BOATS.