Exporting to Australia
In 2012 the Australia´s Commonwealth asked Navantia for information on the capabilities of the Cantabria CSS and its commonality with the other Navantia vessels integrated within the Australian Navy.
Months later, the Spanish Navy and the Australian Navy signed an agreement for the deployment of the Cantabria in Australia from February to November 2013. This deployment allowed them to evaluate the vessel capabilities (58 supply maneuvers) and the training of the crew (284 people), in addition to checking the vessel interoperability with other units of the fleet.
The impact of this operation was immediate. After a feasibility phase for risk reduction, in 2015 Australia called for an offer from Navantia and another builder. Navantia was selected as preferred constructor and the contract was awarded in May 2016.
The contract scope includes the construction of 2 vessels and life cycle support during the first 5 years.
On November 22, 2017, the keel laying of the first AAOR (Supply) was held at the Navantia shipyard in Ferrol. And in 2021 Australia celebrated the commissioning of HMAS Stalwart, the second AAOR.
