On April 10, 2021, the Royal Australian Navy has commissioned its new HMAS Supply (II), named after the Royal Navy ship HMS Supply. HMAS Supply (A195), named after the Royal Navy ship HMS Supply, is the lead ship of two Supply Class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) ships built for the Royal Australian Navy by Spanish shipbuilder, Navantia in Ferrol, Spain. The Australian Supply Class ships are based on the Spanish Navy’s Cantabria Class design. HMAS Supply replaced HMAS Success which was decommissioned in June 2019.
The AORs will enhance Fleet capability by extending the time a Task Group can spend at sea and the distance travelled. The ships are intended to carry fuel, dry cargo, water, food, ammunition, equipment and spare parts to provide operational support for the deployed naval far from the port on the high seas for longer periods. In addition to replenishment, the vessels can be used to combat against environmental pollution at sea, provide logistics support for the armed forces, and to support humanitarian and disaster relief (HADR) operations following a natural disaster.
The contract to build the two auxiliary oiler replenishment ships was awarded to Navantia in 2016. HMAS Supply was laid down on 18 November 2017 and then launched at the Navantia Shipyards in Ferrol, Spain on 24 November 2018. On 2 October 2020, HMAS Supply arrived at Fleet Base West, Western Australia for final fit out and testing activities.It was launched in late November 2018. HMAS Supply replaced HMAS Success which was decommissioned in June 2019. While the ship’s operational home port is Fleet Base East, its ceremonial home port is the Port of Eden.
