SYDNEY, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- The Australian navy's newest Landing Ship Dock HMAS Choules could be provided with life support services from Britain's A&P Group and Thales Australia.
A&P said it has signed an agreement with Thales Australia to offer the service to Australia's Defense Material Organization.
The ship was decommissioned by the British navy last April as part of cost-cutting measures by the British government and was purchased by Australia.
"A&P Group completed the refit for HMAS CHOULES prior to it departure for Australia, and has been supporting the vessel under this interim contract with the DMO," said Max Sothcott, A&P Group Business Development director-Defense.
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"With its arrival into (Australian) service, we are seeking a long-term arrangement with an Australian provider to maximize the Australian industrial participation for long-term sustainment of the vessel and Thales Australia is that preferred provider."
The HMAS Choules is a Bay class landing ship dock displacing 16,160 tons. It is about 590 feet long and about 86 feet across the beam. It has a speed of 18 knots and a range of 9,200 miles.
A&P Group has an existing support contract with Australia's DMO for the interim support of the vessel, with Thales Australia providing upgrades and maintenance at its facility in New South Wales as the ship prepares to enter service with the Australian navy.
"We have extensive local expertise based on years of experience operating the Garden Island dockyard, working on a wide variety of navy and commercial vessels, and developing an in-depth understanding of local customer requirements," said Chris Jenkins, chief execute officer of Thales Australia.
"These strengths, combined with A&P Group's detailed knowledge of HMAS CHOULES and its own significant service capabilities, enable us to deliver an effective and collaborative sustainment capability to the navy and the Department of Defense."
