An example of ‘Navantia’ quality:
Le nouveau navire de guerre australien HMAS Stalwart tombe en panne et subit des réparations mécaniques d'urgence
The new Australian warship HMAS Stalwart breaks down and undergoes emergency mechanical repairs
In brief:
HMAS Stalwart, Australia's newest warship, is undergoing urgent repairs after breaking down in Darwin. The ship was commissioned less than three years ago.
What are the next steps?
The ship will now remain in Darwin for an extended port visit while Defence investigates the problem.
Australia's newest warship is undergoing emergency mechanical repairs to address ‘engine faults’, while the navy's only other supply ship is still out of service.
The ABC can reveal that HMAS Stalwart, which was commissioned less than three years ago, has extended a visit to Darwin Harbour as Defence investigates the extent of problems on board.
HMAS Stalwart is the second and final Spanish-built auxiliary refuelling vessel (AOR) for the Royal Australian Navy. It is intended to carry fuel, ammunition and other supplies for deployed combat forces, as well as providing logistics.
Last year, the ABC revealed that major mechanical problems had also been discovered on board its sister ship, HMAS Supply, which was transported to the Garden Island naval base in Sydney for warranty repairs.
At a Senate estimates hearing earlier this month, senior naval officials revealed that HMAS Supply could remain out of service for another year, having already been sidelined for 14 months.
‘I don't want the commission to get the wrong idea, I'm not happy with the availability of this ship,’ said Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, head of the navy, when asked about the AOR ship built by Spanish company Navantia.
‘This is a complex defect. Navantia has written to the department to accept responsibility, it will be repaired under warranty,’ the head of the navy confirmed at his deposition on 6 June.
Following questions from ABC this week, the MoD confirmed that HMAS Stalwart, which was commissioned seven months after HMAS Supply in November 2021, is also experiencing engine problems.
‘HMAS Stalwart has extended a port visit to Darwin to investigate engine faults that became apparent during the passage to Darwin. The crew is being supported by contractors,’ a Defence spokesman told ABC.
‘The extent and cause of the necessary repairs are being investigated,’ the spokesman added.
Defence figures familiar with the situation say HMAS Stalwart is experiencing huge technical problems and could be in as bad a state as HMAS Supply.
‘She needs emergency repairs to return to her home port of Perth,’ a defence source told ABC on condition of anonymity.
Spain's Navantia is among the international defence companies shortlisted to supply the Australian navy's new fleet of multi-purpose frigates, worth between $7 billion and $10 billion.
The Spanish shipbuilder has already supplied the three Hobart-class air warfare destroyers, as well as the two Canberra-class landing helicopter docks, which have also faced long-standing problems with their propulsion systems.
Last year, the ABC also revealed that sailors serving aboard HMAS Supply and HMAS Stalwart were being forced to drink bottled water after a plumbing contamination problem was discovered on board the ships.
Le nouveau navire de guerre australien HMAS Stalwart tombe en panne et subit des réparations mécaniques d'urgence
The new Australian warship HMAS Stalwart breaks down and undergoes emergency mechanical repairs
In brief:
HMAS Stalwart, Australia's newest warship, is undergoing urgent repairs after breaking down in Darwin. The ship was commissioned less than three years ago.
What are the next steps?
The ship will now remain in Darwin for an extended port visit while Defence investigates the problem.
Australia's newest warship is undergoing emergency mechanical repairs to address ‘engine faults’, while the navy's only other supply ship is still out of service.
The ABC can reveal that HMAS Stalwart, which was commissioned less than three years ago, has extended a visit to Darwin Harbour as Defence investigates the extent of problems on board.
HMAS Stalwart is the second and final Spanish-built auxiliary refuelling vessel (AOR) for the Royal Australian Navy. It is intended to carry fuel, ammunition and other supplies for deployed combat forces, as well as providing logistics.
Last year, the ABC revealed that major mechanical problems had also been discovered on board its sister ship, HMAS Supply, which was transported to the Garden Island naval base in Sydney for warranty repairs.
At a Senate estimates hearing earlier this month, senior naval officials revealed that HMAS Supply could remain out of service for another year, having already been sidelined for 14 months.
‘I don't want the commission to get the wrong idea, I'm not happy with the availability of this ship,’ said Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, head of the navy, when asked about the AOR ship built by Spanish company Navantia.
‘This is a complex defect. Navantia has written to the department to accept responsibility, it will be repaired under warranty,’ the head of the navy confirmed at his deposition on 6 June.
Following questions from ABC this week, the MoD confirmed that HMAS Stalwart, which was commissioned seven months after HMAS Supply in November 2021, is also experiencing engine problems.
‘HMAS Stalwart has extended a port visit to Darwin to investigate engine faults that became apparent during the passage to Darwin. The crew is being supported by contractors,’ a Defence spokesman told ABC.
‘The extent and cause of the necessary repairs are being investigated,’ the spokesman added.
Defence figures familiar with the situation say HMAS Stalwart is experiencing huge technical problems and could be in as bad a state as HMAS Supply.
‘She needs emergency repairs to return to her home port of Perth,’ a defence source told ABC on condition of anonymity.
Spain's Navantia is among the international defence companies shortlisted to supply the Australian navy's new fleet of multi-purpose frigates, worth between $7 billion and $10 billion.
The Spanish shipbuilder has already supplied the three Hobart-class air warfare destroyers, as well as the two Canberra-class landing helicopter docks, which have also faced long-standing problems with their propulsion systems.
Last year, the ABC also revealed that sailors serving aboard HMAS Supply and HMAS Stalwart were being forced to drink bottled water after a plumbing contamination problem was discovered on board the ships.
