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The second of two Supply Class vessels has been commissioned into service during a ceremony in Western Australia.
HMAS Stalwart, Australia’s newest Supply Class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) ship, has officially entered service with the Royal Australian Navy after being commissioned during a ceremony at Fleet Base West, Rockingham, Western Australia.
The ceremony, held on Saturday (13 November), was attended by the Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price, Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Michael Noonan and HMAS Stalwart’s Commanding Officer, Commander Steven McCracken.
The newly commissioned vessel, built by Spain-based Navantia Ría de Ferrol, joins sister ship HMAS Supply, based at Fleet Base East in NSW.
HMAS Stalwart will now be homeported at the City of Greater Geraldton.
The Department of Defence received the vessel in September after signing the acceptance certificate.
This followed a two-month fit-out at Western Australia’s HMAS Stirling and final sea trials.
Navantia Australia is expected to provide support for the life cycle of both HMAS Stalwart as and HMAS Supply for the first five years of service.
The vessels are designed to support Task Groups, enabling units to extend naval deployment at sea and perform a greater variety of operations.
[Related: Geraldton confirmed as homeport for NUSHIP Stalwart]
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