HMAS Stalwart (III)

Commissioned on 13 November 2021, HMAS Stalwart (III) is the second and final Supply Class auxiliary oiler replenishment (AOR) ship built for the Royal Australian Navy. HMAS Stalwart (III) is the third Royal Australian Navy ship to bear the name after the S Class destroyer HMAS Stalwart (I), and the single class destroyer tender HMAS Stalwart (II).

The AOR is a class of double-hulled ship built by Spanish shipbuilder, Navantia. The Australian ships are based on the Spanish Navy’s Cantabria Class AORs. AORs carry fuel, dry cargo, water, food, ammunition, equipment and spare parts to provide operational support for deployed naval or combat forces operating far from port for longer periods.

In addition to replenishment, the vessels provide logistics support for the armed forces, combat against environmental pollution at sea, and support humanitarian and disaster relief operations.

Specifications

• Commanding Officer: Commander AR Simeoni
• Class: Supply Class
• Type: auxiliary oiler replenishment (AOR)
• Role:
  • fleet oiler
  • ammunition supply
  • logistical support
  • humanitarian and disaster relief
• Pennant: 304
• International callsign: VKCU
• Motto: Heart of Oak
• Home port: Fleet Base West
• Builder: Navantia
• Laid down: 25 November 2018
• Launched: 30 August 2019
• Launched by: Commodore Stephanie Moles
• Commissioned: 13 November 2021
• Displacement:
  • 19,500 tonnes
  • 9,800 tonnes (full load deadweight)
• Length: 173.9 metres
• Beam: 23 metres
• Draught: 8 metres
• Speed: 20 knots (maximum)
• Range: 11,000 kilometres at 13 knots
• Capacity:
  • 1,450 cubic metres of JP5 jet fuel
  • 8,200 cubic metres of marine diesel fuel
  • 1,400 cubic metres of fresh water
  • 270 tonnes of ammunition
  • 470 tonnes of provisions
• Machinery:
  • 2 MAN 18V 32/40 main engines
  • 4 MAN 7L21/31 generator sets
• Helicopters: one helicopter