Royal Australian Navy press release
This first RAS marks a significant milestone for Navy’s refuel and resupply at sea capability, which is critical to extending time at sea for Australian and allied ships.
Supply’s first RAS took place off Australia’s east coast and involved the transfer of diesel fuel to Anzac.
Commanding Officer Supply Captain Ben Hissink said the successful RAS was a strong indicator of the AOR’s versatility and criticality.
“Navy’s new AORs are exceptionally versatile and a valuable generational shift from previous logistics ships.”
“They can carry larger volumes of fuel, operate in a wider range of sea states and environmental conditions, support smaller ships and are now equipped with a combat management system that enhances their interoperability with Australian and allied assets.
“The success of our first RAS means we are one step closer completing our operational test and evaluation period and being out on the seas delivering a critical enabling capability.”
Commanding Officer HMAS Supply Captain Ben Hissink.
Supply commissioned in April 2021 and with the support of Sea Training Group has been progressing through her operational test and evaluation period to certify her readiness to join the fleet.
So far, the ship has completed combat survivability training, man overboard exercises, boarding party training, gunnery and warfare training and been rocked through a sea state six and executed a Heavy Jackstay trial – the first completed in the RAN since HMAS Success’s last Heavy Jackstay in 2018.
Executive Officer Supply Lieutenant Commander Peter Dargan said the ship’s successful first RAS and testing period prior, was largely attributable to her highly trained crew.
“The journey in getting to this stage of operational readiness has been long and challenging, but our crew has continually stepped up to the task.”
“Our sailors and officers have received and been part of developing some of the most comprehensive training in the world, and their application during the RAS was evidence of their hard work.
“It is always rewarding to witness the result of perseverance, but the completion of our first RAS is particularly satisfying, seeing cutting-edge capability matched with highly qualified crew.”
Executive Officer HMAS Supply Lieutenant Commander Peter Dargan
Successful completion of the RAS means Supply is well on the way to achieving initial operating capability.
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About Supply-class AORs
The Australian Government signed contracts with Navantia S.A to build Australia’s two replacement auxiliary oiler replenishment ships in May 2016.
NUSHIP Supply was laid down on 18 November 2017, launched in Ferrol, Spain, in November 2018. The vessel arrived at HMAS Stirling, Garden Island Fleet Base West, Western Australia, on 2 October 2020 for final fit out and testing activities.
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.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 19,500 tonnes |
| Length | 173.9 metres |
| Beam | 23 metres |
| Draught | 8 metres |
| Performance | |
| Speed | 20 knots (maximum) |
| Range | 11,000 kilometres at 13 knots |
| Capacity | 8200 cubic metres of marine diesel fuel, 1400 cubic metres of fresh water, 270 tonnes of ammunition, 470 tonnes of provisions, 1450 cubic metres of JP5 jet fuel |
| Propulsion | |
| Machinery | 2 x MAN 18V 32/40 main engines4 x MAN 7L21/31 generator sets |
| Armament | |
| Helicopters | 1 x helicopter |
