The milestone is a significant moment in the AOR program, under which Navantia will supply and sustain two ships for the Royal Australian Navy from 2019. These vessels will replace the Navy’s current supply ships HMA Ships Success and Sirius. The two ships will provide a superb logistic capability, together with significant commonality and interoperability with other Royal Australian Navy assets. The AORs are optimised to support the Canberra Class amphibious ships and Hobart Class destroyers as part of task force operations.
(L-R) Peter Croser (Director General Specialist Ships Acquisition, Department of Defence); Rafael Suarez (Ferrol Managing Director, Navantia); José Esteban Garcia Vilasanchez (Chairman, Navantia); Vice Admiral Tim Barrett AO, CSC, RAN (Chief of Navy)
Australian industry is playing a key role in the construction of the AORs, with more than AU$120 million in Australian content as part of the program, with partner companies including Taylor Brothers, Saab Australia, Raytheon Australia and BlueScope Steel amongst others.
The achievement of the keel laying demonstrates Navantia’s ability to meet key schedule requirements in the delivery of world-leading capability to the Royal Australian Navy. The construction two AORs follow Navantia’s leading role in the design and construction of the two Canberra Class amphibious ships, three Hobart Class destroyers, and twelve landing craft for Australia.
Navantia Australia is competing to design and build nine F-5000 frigates in Australia as part of the competitive evaluation process for Australia’s Future Frigate program.
AOR Key Facts
- Length: 173.80 meters
- Beam: 23 meters
- Displacement (Full Load): 19,930 tons
- Maximum speed: 20 knots
- Crew: 130 people
- Accommodation capacity: 196 people
- Propulsion plant: 2 x 9,000 kW
- Electric plant: DDGG 4 x 1,460 kW