As the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) replenishment ship, NUSHIP Supply, makes its way from Spain, SAGE Automation’s Perth-based service team are preparing to go aboard in support of Navantia Australia and perform commissioning and maintenance on the ship’s control systems.

The opportunity has stemmed from SAGE’s long-standing partnership with Navantia Australia, including the support of the next generation Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) on Landing Helicopter Docks (LHDs) and Air Warfare Destroyers (AWDs).

“This is the third class of ships SAGE has supported in partnership with Navantia Australia and represents a fantastic opportunity to further our relationship as we provide service to this new class in the RAN Fleet,” Paul Johnson, SAGE Automation’s General Manager for Defence said.

The first group of SAGE technicians will be boarding the ship to carry out work on the IPMS and other non-combatant control systems.

“We are very excited to partner with Navantia Australia in offering our support to the Royal Australian Navy and we look forward to providing exceptional service within the local defence supply chain,” Adrian Caddaye, SAGE's Perth State Manager said.

The Perth-based team has leveraged SAGE’s national footprint to bolster their local capability, sending a site supervisor to Fleet Base East in New South Wales (while adhering to COVID-19 protocols) to learn from the experience of Sydney-based colleagues and to understand the requirements unique to ship-based control systems.

“We had a site supervisor travel to Sydney for six weeks to work at Fleet Base East to understand the ship maintenance procedures and the processes that SAGE would be involved in,” Mr Caddaye said.

The support of NUSHIP Supply presents an exciting growth opportunity for the Western Australian team and holds the potential for expansion of the Perth team’s presence in the defence support sector across infrastructure, training and local employment.

“In the future, we plan to have a local operations centre based in Rockingham to assist in our service of HMAS Stirling,” Mr Caddaye said.

The lead Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) ship is set to arrive in early October and is the first of two vessels bound for HMAS Stirling where they will undergo installations and servicing by Australian industry.

NUSHIP Supply (II) and Stalwart (III) are intended to carry fuel, cargo and other supplies to deployed naval or combat forces operating at sea for long periods, while also providing operational support as required.

Image courtesy of Defence Connect.