Navantia Ferrol Launches Second AOR for Australia

Navantia Ferrol celebrated this afternoon an always emotional event in shipbuilding and the beginning of a ship's life. At 17:14, taking advantage of high tide, the hull of construction number 218 solemnly slid down the slipway while the national anthem of Australia played. This is the second AOR for the Royal Australian Navy, named “Stalwart” and sponsored by retired Rear Admiral Stephanie Moles.

The contract originates from the interest of the Royal Australian Navy in the Spanish AOR model, of which the Navy operates two ships, “Patiño” and “Cantabria.” The latter spent several months in Australia serving the military Navy of that country, which was decisive in tipping the balance in favor of the Navantia option, despite strong pressures from other contenders.

In the speeches, the intervention of Navantia's president, Susana de Sarriá, stands out, where she announced that the Ferrol shipyard will soon begin the execution of an ambitious investment plan of over 160 million for its digital transformation, in preparation for the F-110 frigate program. These investments will generate more than 700 jobs over the next five years, mostly for local companies.

The contract with the Commonwealth of Australia represents 1.5 million work hours per ship for the industrial community of Ferrol, as well as 35,000 hours derived from the manufacturing and supply of the main engines, diesel generators, and reducers, and another 35,000 derived from the Integrated Platform Control System.

Regarding its impact on employment, approximately 1,800 direct and indirect jobs are being generated annually, of which more than 330 are direct employees, over 530 are from the collaborating industry, and more than 900 are indirect jobs generated by other suppliers.

The contract includes support for the life cycle of the two AOR logistic ships for a period of five years, which will be carried out entirely in Australia (New South Wales and Western Australia) through the subsidiary Navantia Australia.

The life cycle support ensures that Australia remains a preferred customer for Navantia, as in addition to these two logistic ships, three AWD destroyers (based on the F-100 frigates), two LHD amphibious ships, and twelve landing craft designed and built by Navantia have already been constructed.

Photographic report: José R. Montero