HMAS Stalwart Starts Sea Trials

HMAS Stalwart 304 starts sea trials
HMAS Stalwart 304 starts sea trials

Navantia has commenced sea trials of NUSHIP Stalwart, the RAN’s second Supply class auxiliary oiler replenishment (AOR) to be built in Spain.

The sea trials of the ship announced on March 20 by Navantia via Twitter. NUSHIP Stalwart is the second and final Supply Class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) ship. NUSHIP Stalwart was laid down on 25 November 2018 and launched on 30 August 2019, at the Navantia Shipyards in Ferrol, Spain.

Spain has been badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic which has affected the vessel’s trials schedule, but it is now scheduled to arrive in Australia by the end of 2021 for final fit-out, and commissioning in 2022, some eight months behind schedule.

The ships are intended 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.

In addition to replenishment, the vessels can be used to combat against environmental pollution at sea, provide logistics support for the armed forces, and support humanitarian and disaster relief (HADR) operations following a natural disaster.

The first AOR replacement, NUSHIP Supply, will be the first AOR to replace the retired HMAS Success and bridge Royal Australian Navy’s current capability gap. The Australian government signed contracts with Navantia to build Australia’s two replacement auxiliary oiler replenishment (AOR) ships in May 2016. NUSHIP Supply was launched in Ferrol, Spain, in November 2018 and arrived at HMAS Stirling, Garden Island Fleet Base West, Western Australia, on 2 October 2020 for final fit-out and testing activities and is now based in Sydney. She will be commissioned on April 10.

hmas stalwart 2 - naval post- naval news and information
Fauture HMAS Stalwart

HMAS Stalwart

StatusSea Trials
TypeSupply Class AOR
RoleFleet Oiler
Ammunition supply
Logistical support
Humanitarian and disaster relief
PennantA304
MottoHeart of Oak
BuilderNavantia
Laid Down25 November 2018
Launched30 August 2019
Launched byCommodore Stephanie Moles
Displacement19,500 tonnes
9800 tonnes (full load deadweight)
Length173.9 metres
Beam23 metres
Draught8 metres
Speed20 knots (maximum)
Range11,000 kilometres at 13 knots
Capacity1450 cubic metres of JP5 jet fuel
8200 cubic metres of marine diesel fuel
1400 cubic metres of fresh water
270 tonnes of ammunition
470 tonnes of provisions
Machinery2 x MAN 18V 32/40 main engines
4 x MAN 7L21/31 generator sets
Helicopters1 x helicopter


Check out Naval Library App to find out the specifications of the Supply Class Auxiliary Oilers :

Previous articleUK MoD extends sonobuoy contract with Ultra Group for 3 years
Next articleNorway agrees with TKMS on the procurement of 4 submarines