NT09 Ships see the RAN of the Future in Ferrol
25 June 2009
The port of Ferrol has a tradition of boat building which is older than the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). In 1858, as the Australian colonies moved toward federation and the formation of a single Australian Naval Force, the Ferrol Dockyards were producing Spain’s first steam powered vessel. With such a strong shipbuilding tradition it is little wonder that Navantia, Spain’s leading shipbuilding firm has chosen the port as their base to build both military and civilian ships.
Navantia and the port of Ferrol are of particular interest to the RAN and the visiting Northern Trident 2009 (NT09) ships, HMAS Sydney and HMAS Ballarat. Navantia will build the hulls of Australia’s two new Amphibious Assault Ships (LHD), which will be known as the Canberra Class, in the port. Navantia will also be involved in the construction in Australia of the new Air Warfare Destroyers, to be known as the Hobart Class, due for delivery in 2014.
“The opportunity to visit the home of Navantia, with their key role in five new and very capable warships for the RAN, is a particular highlight of the NT09 deployment and something we have all been looking forward to. Many of the officers and sailors on NT09 will go on to serve in these ships in the years ahead so there is a lot of interest,” said Sydney’s Commanding Officer, CAPT Peter Leavy.
Personnel from the NT09 ships were able to visit one of the Spanish Armada’s Air Warfare Destroyers, the Almirante Juan De Borbon for a tour and luncheon and also took a tour of the Spanish Armada’s new LHD currently under construction. While the LHD is in the final stages of fit out prior to proceeding to sea for trials later in the year, the Almirante Juan De Borbon is currently in service with the Spanish Armada and the Australians were guided through this vessel by her Officers, prior to a lunch of traditional delicacies from the Galicia region of Spain.
Similar to the Spanish Almirante Juan De Borbon, the Air Warfare Destroyers on order for the RAN will have a displacement of approximately 5,800 tonnes and can be manned by up to 200 personnel. The recently released Defence White Paper outlined the AWD’s ability to carry SM6 surface to air missiles and noted the future ability of the AWD to accommodate missiles with a strike capability of 400km or more.
“After the ships of NT09 exercised with the Almirante Juan De Borbon’s sister ship Alvara de Bazan in the Mediterranean Sea prior to our arrival in Ferrol, the officers relished the chance to have a closer look at this class of ship and see firsthand the capability that the RAN will soon acquire.” said Ballarat’s Commanding Officer, CMDR Kevin Turner.
The group received a comprehensive tour of the AWD including the vertical launch system on the forecastle, the internal torpedo launch tubes down aft, the machinery control room plus the operations room. Officers of the watch that attended the tour enjoyed seeing the bridge, its modern layout using the latest electronic navigation tools.
Members of the Supply Department were not disappointed either. “It was sensational to see that the Supply Department also reaps the benefits of the new design through up to date catering facilities, larger stores compartments and generally more spacious accommodation and messing for the whole crew,” said Assistant Supply Officer, MIDN Theresa Wells.
Following the AWD tour, the group visited the soon to be completed Spanish LHD at the Navantia Dockyards. Substantially larger than the AWD with a displacement of approximately 27,000 tonnes, the Spanish ship was very similar to the LHD’s that the RAN will soon acquire and the tour of this vessel gave the Australians a first hand appreciation of the scale and advanced design that the RAN will receive.
“The sheer size of this vessel is initially the most obvious feature of the LHD as it towers over Ballarat and Sydney. I am looking forward to being on the bridge in a vessel of this magnitude,” said SBLT Stephen Gaisford.
A Navantia representative took Sydney and Ballarat personnel through the LHD and explained the features of the new vessel. As with the AWD, the group was thoroughly impressed with the modern and spacious accommodation areas for ship's company as well as the technical features of the vessel.
“We walked through the large hangar and tank decks and heard more about the ship's electric drive propulsion plant. When the first ship is delivered into RAN service in 2013 it will be the first such propulsion plant within an Australian major fleet unit. I am looking forward to working with this new technology,” said Assistant Marine Engineering Officer Stephen Miller.
The Australian LHDs will have the space and deck strength to carry 100 armoured vehicles, including the M1A1 Abrams tank, as well as up to 200 other vehicles and up to 12 helicopters. In addition to the assets it can take onboard, the LHD’s will be able to embark a battle group of more than 2000 personnel. This makes the ship a versatile platform from which the Australian Defence Force can conduct amphibious operations, large scale peacekeeping efforts as well as rapidly act to effect disaster relief and humanitarian assistance.
