The first cut of the steel being used to build the Royal Australian Navy’s auxiliary oiler and replenishment ships (AORs) has been undertaken on 19th. June, following the successful completion of the critical design review.
Navantia was awarded the contract to construct the ships which will replace the Navy’s current supply ships HMA Ships Success and Sirius. The new AORs are scheduled to be delivered by 2019 and 2020.
Australian industry will play a key role in the build of the AORs with a minimum $120million of investment into Australian products, skills and expertise. As part of this, 4500 tonnes of the steel has been sourced from BlueScope.
Navantia Australia Board Member Warren King says Navantia’s engagement with Australian Industry to build the AORs highlights the capability and capacity of local businesses which has been further demonstrated in the build of the Navantia designed Hobart Class destroyers.
In addition to BlueScope’s steel the AORs Integrated Platform Management System – the system that controls and monitors all the platform systems – will be built in Australia by NSAG, Navantia’s joint venture with Adelaide based SAGE Automation’s Hobart’s Taylor Bros will supply a range of services including hospital, laundry and galley fitouts while SAAB Australia will supply the combat management systems and Raytheon Australia will supply the communications systems.
Navantia as full responsible for the sustainment of both ships for their first five years of operation is already working in the sustainment arrangements for the future ships which will imply a bigger presence in Sydney and the opening of an office in Western Australia to support and maintain both ships.