Navy Capability Updates
17 June 2011
Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare provided an update on a number of Defence capability projects and activities.
Largs Bay Sales Agreement Signed
Mr Smith and Mr Clare announced finalisation of the acquisition process for the United Kingdom Bay Class amphibious ship Largs Bay.
The Government announced on 6 April that Australia had been successful in its bid to acquire the United Kingdom’s Bay Class amphibious ship Largs Bay at a cost of £65 million (approximately $100 million).
The negotiations for the RFA Largs Bay have now been completed with the signing of the Sales Agreement by the Australian and the United Kingdom Governments on 8 June. The third and final payment of $35 million (£22 million) will now be made.
The purchase follows successful sea-trials undertaken in April and inspection by international Shipping firm Teekay confirming that the Ship is in a good material state.
The Ship will now undergo essential re-fit and maintenance work in the United Kingdom as part of the Ship’s normal five–year recertification cycle to allow the Ship to join the Royal Australian Navy in Australia at the end of this year.
The Largs Bay is a 16,000 tonne landing ship launched in 2003 and commissioned in 2006. It was purchased to ensure Australia’s amphibious capability following the decommissioning of HMAS Manoora.
Update on HMAS Tobruk
Mr Smith and Mr Clare also provided an update on the status of the HMAS Tobruk.
HMAS Tobruk has been docked in Sydney since 11 May while Defence undertakes scheduled maintenance to further assure the safety and reliability of the ship and to return it to 48 hours readiness notice.
During this maintenance process, survey work has been undertaken to ensure the ongoing serviceability of the ship’s equipment.
This survey work confirms that HMAS Tobruk is in a satisfactory material condition for a ship of its age.
However, the survey work has also identified that additional maintenance is necessary now to keep the ship in service. This includes work on the hull, the vehicle ramps, the propeller shaft and the overboard discharge piping system for stormwater.
Completing this work will extend the time necessary for HMAS Tobruk to remain in dock and to return it to 48 hours readiness notice.
It is expected that this additional work will be completed by the end of August.
In order to ensure Australia has an amphibious capability while further work on HMAS Tobruk is undertaken, the Government has previously announced it would charter the long range support ship Aurora Australis from P&O Maritime Services from 8 May 2011 to 30 June 2011, with options for an extension up to a month.
To provide an amphibious transport capability until the end of July 2011, the Government has exercised the option to extend the lease of the Aurora Australis for an additional month until the end of July.
Defence has also agreed with the operator, P & O to further extend the Aurora Australis lease until the Tobruk re-enters service at the end of August.
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