Navantia has commenced sea trials for the future HMAS Stalwart (III) for the Royal Australian Navy. NUSHIP Stalwart (III) is the second and final Supply Class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) ship. NUSHIP Stalwart is the third Royal Australian Navy ship to bear the name after the S Class destroyer, HMAS Stalwart (I) and the single class destroyer tender, HMAS Stalwart (II). NUSHIP Stalwart was laid down on 25 November 2018 at the Navantia Shipyards in Ferrol, Spain. Launched on 30 August 2019 Stalwart is planned to enter service with the Royal Australian Navy fleet in late 2021.
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 to support humanitarian and disaster relief (HADR) operations following a natural disaster.
With Australia’s current replenishment capability reaching its end of life in 2021, the first AOR replacement, NUSHIP Supply, will be the first AOR to replace the retired HMAS Success and bridge 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.
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