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
| Status | Sea Trials |
|---|---|
| Type | Supply Class AOR |
| Role | Fleet Oiler Ammunition supply Logistical support Humanitarian and disaster relief |
| Pennant | A304 |
| Motto | Heart of Oak |
| Builder | Navantia |
| Laid Down | 25 November 2018 |
| Launched | 30 August 2019 |
| Launched by | Commodore Stephanie Moles |
| Displacement | 19,500 tonnes 9800 tonnes (full load deadweight) |
| Length | 173.9 metres |
| Beam | 23 metres |
| Draught | 8 metres |
| Speed | 20 knots (maximum) |
| Range | 11,000 kilometres at 13 knots |
| Capacity | 1450 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 |
| Machinery | 2 x MAN 18V 32/40 main engines 4 x MAN 7L21/31 generator sets |
| Helicopters | 1 x helicopter |
Check out Naval Library App to find out the specifications of the Supply Class Auxiliary Oilers :
