Second Supply-class replenishment vessel starts delivery sail to Australia

 

NUSHIP Stalwart being prepared for departure from Ferrol. Photo c/o Navantia.

The second Supply-class auxiliary replenishment vessel built for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has started its delivery cruise from Spain to Australia.

The ship, NUSHIP Stalwart, was readied for departure by its Spanish builder Navantia, and departed the company’s Ferrol Shipyard on 20 May 2021.

The Australian Ambassador to Spain Amb. Sophia McIntyre, together with Navantia’s President Mr. Ricardo Dominguez, and Director of Navantia Ferrol Shipyard Mr. Eduardo Dobarro, were present during the new ship’s departure ceremonies. 

The ship is expected to reach its future homeport in Australia, HMAS Sterling in Western Australia, within 30 days from departure. 

NUSHIP Stalwart will then undergo its final fit-out works, including the installation and testing of combat systems, communication systems, and other logistics-related areas, before final acceptance by the RAN.

The Australian Department of Defence (DOD) has awarded a contract to Navantia for the construction and delivery of 2 new replenishment vessels on May 2016, with Navantia based on the Cantabria-class design used by the Spanish Navy.

They are 174 meters long and displaces at around 19,500 tons, and are powered by 2 MAN 18V 32/40 diesel engines allowing the ship to reach a maximum speed of 20 knots, and a maximum range of 6,000 nautical miles at 13 knots.

The ships would be armed with a 20mm Phalanx close-in weapon system (CIWS), two 25mm Rafael Typhoon remote weapon stations (RWS), and four manually-operated 12.7mm heavy machine guns.

Navantia delivered the first ship of the class in 2020, and was commissioned as HMAS Supply on April 2021.

NUSHIP Stalwart is expected to be commissioned with the RAN as the HMAS Stalwart by early 2022.




[1] Navantia
[2] Naval Technology