The Commonwealth of Australia and Navantia have signed a contract to supply two auxiliary oiler replenishments (AORs).

The two ships are based on the Spanish Navy ship ‘Cantabria’, which will be tailored to fulfil specific Australian standards and requirements. The agreement with the Commonwealth of Australia also includes the sustainment of the two AOR ships for a period of five years.

These contracts include a significant amount of participation from the Australian industry, with companies such as Saab Australia as supplier of the Combat System, Scientific Management Associates (SMA) as suppliers of engineering services, Baker and Provan as supplier of cranes and an Australian communication system supplier.

In relation to support, all the sustainment activities will be performed in Australia (NSW and WA) with Navantia Australia and its subcontractors, which has been partnering with Australian companies since 2007. Other opportunities for Australian suppliers will be published through the ICN gateway.

With this contract, Navantia has further established a reputation for being a reference platform designer for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). These two ships will join the two landing helicopter docks (LHDs), the three air warfare destroyer (AWDs) and the 12 landing craft designed by Navantia. Navantia is proud of its participation in the development of the naval capabilities for the RAN.

Navantia Australia has significant capability established in Australia, which with the company’s Technical Operation Centre located in Adelaide, will be a valuable asset for future shipbuilding activities in Australia, providing the required expertise to face the challenge of future projects.

Navantia is fully committed to Australia and will contribute to naval projects with proven capacity and ability to supply. Navantia now looks forward to working with the Commonwealth and industry even more closely, to achieve programme goals that we all fully share.