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The Spanish shipbuilding firm has handed over the first of two AOR Supply Class vessels to the Royal Australian Navy, Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has announced.
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Defence's contract with Spanish shipbuilding firm Navantia has reached a major milestone following the Royal Australian Navy's acceptance of the first Supply Class vessel, NUSHIP Supply.
The auxiliary oiler replenishment (AOR) ship arrived at HMAS Stirling, Garden Island Fleet Base West, Western Australia, on 2 October 2020 for final fit out and testing activities, and is expected to sail into her homeport of Sydney this week.
NUSHIP Supply is the first of two AOR ships to be built by Navantia as part of the Defence contract, signed in May 2016.
The second ship, NUSHIP Stalwart, is expected to be delivered later this year.
The vessels are set to replace retired HMAS ships Success and Sirius.
The AOR ships are designed to carry fuel, dry cargo, water, food, ammunition, equipment and spare parts to provide operational support for the deployed naval or combat forces operating far from the port on the high seas for longer periods.
The vessels can also be used to combat environmental pollution at sea, provide logistics support for the armed forces, and to support humanitarian and disaster relief (HADR) operations following a natural disaster.
Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds welcomed the timely delivery of NUSHIP Supply amid disruptions to the supply chain.
“Despite the impacts of COVID-19, the Australian government has worked with the prime and sub-contractors to innovate and implement solutions to deliver the Royal Australian Navy’s first Supply Class vessel NUSHIP Supply, based on the Spanish Cantabria design,” Minister Reynolds said.
“The Australian government remains committed to maximising Australian industry involvement in the shipbuilding enterprise.
“Australian industry benefited with more than $130 million spent on engagement of local industry partners to support the ship’s fit out in Australia.”
[Related: NUSHIP Supply commissioning crew prepares for arrival of new AOR]
