HMAS Stalwart (III) A304
Commissioned on 13 November 2021, HMAS Stalwart (III) A304 is the second and final Supply Class auxiliary oiler replenishment (AOR) ship built for the Royal Australian Navy. HMAS Stalwart (III) is the third Royal Australian Navy ship to bear the name after the S Class destroyer HMAS Stalwart (I), and the single class destroyer tender HMAS Stalwart (II).
The AOR is a class of double-hulled ship built by Spanish shipbuilder, Navantia. The Australian ships are based on the Spanish Navy’s Cantabria Class AORs. AORs carry fuel, dry cargo, water, food, ammunition, equipment and spare parts to provide operational support for deployed naval or combat forces operating far from port for longer periods.
In addition to replenishment, the vessels provide logistics support for the armed forces, combat against environmental pollution at sea, and support humanitarian and disaster relief operations.
