The Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) first Cantabria/Supply class auxiliary oiler replenishment (AOR) vessel, NUSHIP Supply II, has officially arrived at Garden Island, Western Australia, after a successful delivery voyage from Navantia’s shipyards in Ferrol, Spain. Its arrival marks a significant milestone following the completion of builder’s sea trials in August.
In Fremantle, NUSHIP Supply will undergo further outfitting, which will include the installation of critical systems such as the Phalanx close-in weapons system (CIWS), a comprehensive communications suite, Typhoon remote weapons stations, and other components crucial for its operational capability. This new vessel is set to replace the decommissioned HMAS Success on the east coast when it is formally commissioned in 2021. Additionally, the subsequent ship, NUSHIP Stalwart III, is anticipated to succeed HMAS Sirius on the west coast in 2022.
Alfonso García-Valdés, Managing Director of Navantia Australia, emphasized the significance of developing and managing Navantia designs locally under a Strategic Agreement Principles document signed with Defence earlier this year. This initiative is expected to create substantial opportunities for Australian industry, with Navantia Australia currently partnering with over 300 Australian companies within its local supply chain. The cross-platform commons program being developed promises to enhance long-term opportunities for platform sustainment, innovation, and upgrades, ensuring a robust and reliable Australian supply chain.
Both NUSHIP Supply and its follow-on ship, Stalwart III, weigh approximately 19,500 tonnes and are based on the Spanish Cantabria class. The previous experience of the RAN operating the SPS Cantabria, which spent eight months on secondment to the RAN in 2013, played a pivotal role in the selection of this design in 2016 for Project SEA 1654 Phase 3 Maritime Operational Support Capability, aimed at replacing the older supply vessels.
Numerous Australian companies have contributed to the construction and fit-out of these new AORs, including Taylor Bros, SAGE Automation, Australian Maritime Technologies, and several others, showcasing the collaborative effort within the local industry to support the RAN’s operational capabilities.
This article was published by Australia Defence Business Review on October 6, 2020, by Andrew McLaughlin, highlighting an important development in Australia’s naval capabilities and the local industry’s engagement in such projects.
