The ship will now spend approximately 30 days at sea before arriving at its homeport of HMAS Stirling, in Western Australia, where it is expected to undergo a final fit-out.

Combat and communications systems will be installed and tested, with local industry also expected to perform logistics tasks.

NUSHIP Stalwart will operate alongside NUSHIP Supply, delivered by Navantia earlier this year.

The two AORs will be used to provide operational support for the deployed naval or combat forces away from their homeports for an extended period of time.

Australian ambassador to Spain Sophia McIntyre farewelled the vessel from Ferrol shipyard, along with Navantia’s president, Ricardo Domínguez, and the director of the shipyard, Eduardo Dobarro.

Domínguez said Navantia would continue to support Australia’s capability objectives, despite wrapping up its contribution to the SEA 1654-3 program.

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“Australia has relied on Navantia to provide a decisive capacity to achieve its strategic objectives in the maritime field,” he said.

“Navantia, through Navantia Australia, will continue to be Australia’s partner now and in the future.”

 Dobarro thanked stakeholders for their contributions to the project, including Navantia Australia personnel, Teekay, Raytheon, SAAB, the Royal Australian Navy and the Department of Defence.

[Related: Navantia delivers first Supply Class vessel to Navy]

Charbel Kadib

Author

News Editor – Defence and Security, Momentum Media

Prior to joining the defence and aerospace team in 2020, Charbel was news editor of The Adviser and Mortgage Business, where he covered developments in the banking and financial services sector for three years. Charbel has a keen interest in geopolitics and international relations, graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a double major in politics and journalism. Charbel has also completed internships with The Australian Department of Communications and the Arts and public relations agency Fifty Acres.

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