First AOR Arrives in Western Australia

10 Oktober 2020

NUSHIP Supply arrives at HMAS Stirling, Garden Island, Western Australia (photo : Navantia)

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN)’s new Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) ship, NUSHIP Supply, arrived today at HMAS Stirling, Garden Island in Western Australia.

NUSHIP Supply will now undergo an Australian fit-out to fit specialised equipment that cannot be installed overseas for security reasons such as the Close-In Weapons system, communications suite, Typhoon and Combat system. A team of experienced Navantia and defence industry specialists will perform the fit-out.

Navantia Australia’s Chairman Warren King stated, “The arrival of NUSHIP Supply marks a significant milestone for both Australia and is demonstrates our commitment not only to the Royal Australian Navy but also to Australian Industry, which is so important to support these platforms over their expected design life and more.”

Navantia Australia Managing Director, Alfonso García-Valdés said “The local development and management of the Navantia designs by Navantia Australia, supported by the Strategic Agreement Principles document signed with Defence earlier this year, offers substantial opportunities for Australian industry.”

“Navantia Australia already has over 300 Australian companies as part of our local supply chain. The cross platform commons program we are developing will provide more long-term opportunities for platform sustainment, innovation and upgrades and enable a robust Australian supply chain to be reliably available,” conclude Mr García-Valdés.

The AOR Program has generated hundreds of jobs for Australian workers who operate behind the scenes in the Australian Defence Industry. A number of Australian and Western Australian companies are involved in the both construction process and fit-out, including Taylor Bros, SAGE Automation, Australian Maritime Technologies, Sofraco Engineering, Capability by Design, Communications Design & Management and Sypaq Systems. ASP Ship Management, Scaf-West and the Onsite Rental Group are performing vital support during the fit-out.

60 direct jobs have been created with Navantia Australia and further indirect jobs through industry partners associated with the AOR Sustainment support program, which will be conducted in both Sydney and in Western Australia.

The delivery into service of the Supply Class replenishment vessels from next year will provide the Navy with vital afloat logistics and combat support to enable our ships to remain at sea longer and operate in areas far removed from their base.

(Navantia)