The Diplomat
The supply vessel Stalwart, destined for the Royal Australian Navy, sailed yesterday from pier 12 of Navantia’s shipyard in Ría de Ferrol to Australia, where it will arrive in Perth (Western Australia) after approximately 35 days of navigation.
The Stalwart is the second of the two Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) ships built by Navantia at Ría de Ferrol for the Royal Australian Navy. Once its construction is completed, the ship will complete its outfitting in Australia. The farewell of the Stalwart was attended by the Australian ambassador in Spain, Sophia McIntyre; the president of Navantia, Ricardo Domínguez; and the director of the Ferrol shipyard, Eduardo Dobarro.
“Navantia’s role in building four classes of ships for Australia has been an important pillar in the development and evolution of our political, economic, military and cultural ties,” said the ambassador. “Australia is honored to have taken a place in Galicia’s historic and impressive shipbuilding tradition. Navantia will continue to play a crucial role as a support platform for these ships in Australia,” she added.
“Australia has relied on Navantia to provide a decisive capability to achieve its strategic objectives in the maritime field and Navantia will continue to be its partner in the future”, said Ricardo Domínguez, who especially acknowledged the efforts of the workers and highlighted the importance of the next program for the Spanish Navy in which the shipyard is already involved, the F-110 class frigates, which will be a lever for growth and employment.
On the other hand, Eduardo Dobarro pointed out that “the knowledge, the know-how and the effort made by the workers, both from Navantia and its Collaborating Industry, especially in such a delicate situation, caused by the pandemic”. After the speeches, the launching maneuver took place, and with the last of them, the anthems of Australia and Spain were played.
The contract for the two AOR vessels, signed with the Commonwealth of Australia in May 2016, has meant 1.5 million working hours per vessel for the Ría de Ferrol, which has meant some 1,800 jobs. It has been the third contract undertaken by Ría de Ferrol for this client, after the construction of two LHDs and their 12 landing craft and the design and technology transfer for three AWD destroyers.
This contract for the two AAOR vessels also includes their sustainment, for which Navantia Australia is responsible for developing an advanced asset management model for life cycle support during the first five years.
It will also require significant involvement of Australian industry, which will be responsible for the installation and testing of elements of the combat and communications systems, as well as some logistical areas. Following completion of this work, the ship will be delivered to the Commonwealth of Australia on August 31.
Australia is a strategic customer for Navantia. When the second AOR is operational, the Royal Australian Navy will have 19 naval units designed by Navantia in service, 16 of which have also been built in Spain. In addition to supporting the life cycle of the AOR vessels, Navantia Australia carries out the sustainment of all the other units.
