HMAS Tobruk will be docked in Sydney from this week for previously announced required maintenance, which is expected to take around two months, defence minister Stephen Smith announced.
In order to ensure Australia has an amphibious capability during this period, the Australian Government has chartered the long range support ship Aurora Australis from P&O Maritime Services from May 8, 2011 to June 30, 2011, with options for an extension up to a month.
The Aurora Australis is a 94 metre Super Icebreaker.
It can carry 700 tonnes of cargo, transport 116 passengers, embark watercraft and support helicopter operations.
The vessel regularly supports Antarctic bases with limited or no port facilities, making it unique among commercial vessels currently available and ideal for humanitarian and disaster relief work.
The charter of this vessel will help ensure that Australia is able to respond to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief incidents over this period, Smith said.
The lease will cost $3.375 million and will be met from within existing Defence resources.
If required for operations it can be supported by a Guided Missile Frigate as well as Heavy Landing Craft.
The charter of the Aurora Australis is in addition to Australia’s agreement with NZ that the NZ amphibious lift ship HMNZS Canterbury would be made available as part of the joint Pacific focused Ready Response Force during Tobruk’s maintenance period, subject to any operational requirements in NZ.
HMAS Tobruk is also scheduled for routine maintenance for around a six-week period in September and October 2011 to prepare the ship ahead of cyclone season.
Detailed planning is currently underway to ensure Australia has an amphibious capability during this period.
Details will be provided closer to that time, the minister said.
Options under consideration include ongoing cooperation with NZ over the use of HMNZS Canterbury, Aurora Australis and a range of commercial options.