RIVER (III) CLASS TANKER
As the Royal Westralian Navy's existing River (II) Class replenishment tankers began to age in the mid-2000's, the RWN instigated plans for a replacement. However this was subsequently deferred until the mid-2010's, at which point the NWS shipyard was already occupied with the upgrades to the Broome-class frigates. As a result, the new design of tankers was to be built by a private company experienced in the construction of tankers for the oil and gas industry, Campbell Maritime Services in Esperance. Construction began in late 2016, with the first vessel,
Swan River, due for commissioning in early-2019; and the second,
Margaret River, to follow shortly after.
Technical input for the design had been provided by Rolls-Royce, leading to the implementation of a LEADGE bow very similar to that incorporated in RR's Enviroship design. The double-hull is ice-strengthened to allow the vessels some limited sub-antarctic capability, necessary to aid in patrolling the Southern Ocean, though the ships will more regularly operate in warmer climates.
Length: 178m
Displacement: 25,000 tons
Speed: 19kts
Complement: 151
Armament: 35mm Millennium Gun, 2 x .50 RWS
Systems: Kelvin-Hughes SharpEye (X and S Band), Safran Vampir NG, Rafael TopLite
Aviation and Boats: Hangar for 1 x NH90 (helipad can handle larger), 2 x RHIBs