Hi everyone, first time contributor
Noticed recent announcement from Spanish MOD regarding the contract award for the construction of a new combat supply ship (BAC) for the Spanish Navy to Navantia (delivery 2030).
Spanish MoD green-lights construction of new combat supply ship for navy (janes.com)
Sea 1654 - Maritime Operational Support Capability originally mentioned the option for a third vessel
With the future enlargement of the RAN combat fleet, would it not be the right time now to order a third AOR from a hot production line. I realize there are current issues with the Supply class, which may put people off a third vessel of this class, but hopefully that will shortly be a thing of the past. Is there any update on their return to normal duties?
Or maybe the RAN dusts off the plans for the two multi-role sealift and support ships - Project Sea2200 Interested to hear members views
Nice to meet you and welcome.
I think there may well be a mutiny if the Government elected to procure additional Navantia AORs at the moment.
Short term (next year or so) I would expect the current issues with both ships to be resolved and the reliability restored. In time the memories will fade.
Medium term (now to about mid 2030), the fleet will remain small, so two replenishment ships is likely sufficient. I doubt we would have enough destroyers and frigates to put to sea beyond this capacity.
Longer term, with the expanded fleet coming on line next decade, the logistics would point to needing more than two replenishment ships, but it would be a mid to late 2030s requirement. I suspect this will not come into the IIP for a few more cycles.
That would put Stalwart and Supply into their latter part of life, and it may be that a new class of say four ships comes into being, the first two in the mid to late 2030s as additional, the second two in the early 2040s as replacements for Stalwarts and Supply.
I would note that multi class small fleets are a logistical and crewing total pain in the but, so a future common platform would be preferable.
The multi role sea lift is an interesting idea, however I have a feeling we would be better to build more of the heavy landing craft for extra sea lift, and keep replenishment ships as replenishment specialists.
When Success sailed (which was the replenishment ship of my serving era), she was heavily filled for fuelling and stores, so I think reducing the replenishment storage capacity for sea lift would only limit the ability to support a convoy for an extended period. It's a bit like robbing Peter to Pay Paul, and if your replenishment ship can't replenish and has to frequently replenish itself, then it kind of defeats the intended purpose.
