The Royal Australian Navy’s two fleet-support-tanker newbuilds are set to be powered by MAN main and GenSet engines.

The engines have been chosen by Spanish state-owned shipbuilding company Navantia for the tankers, which are currently being built by the company.

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Both tankers will be installed with two units of MAN 18V 32 / 40 main engines and four units of MAN 7L21 / 31 GenSets. Shipset deliveries slated for this coming December and June next year.

MAN Diesel and Turbo Four-Stroke Marine head Lex Nijsen said: “We are currently receiving a lot of enquiries within the navy and governmental segment for MAN engines and, indeed, experiencing solid interest in the form of orders as evidenced here.

“As with the engines they replace, these Royal Australian Navy newbuildings are also powered by MAN units. We welcome the repeat business and feel it stands testament to the quality of our portfolio.”

"Both tankers will be installed with two units of MAN 18V 32 / 40 main engines and four units of MAN 7L21 / 31 GenSets."

The order for the MAN main and GenSet engines was made under the navy’s SEA 1654 programme.

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Phase III of the SEA 1654 programme includes the replacement of the existing commercial tanker HMAS Sirius, which is powered by MAN Diesel and Turbo two-stroke engines.

The Royal Australian Navy has been provided with a design proposal by Navantia based on the Spanish Navy's proven auxiliary-oiler replenishment vessel SPS Cantabria.

Fleet support tankers are naval auxiliary vessels also known as replenishment oilers. They feature fuel tanks and dry cargo holds, which can conduct underway replenishment operations on high seas.

Image: The Spanish Navy's SPS Cantabria in the centre is simultaneously refuelling a minor vessel and the navy’s multi-purpose amphibious assault ship Juan Carlos I. Photo: courtesy of Navantia.

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