In a joint statement, Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare have announced the finalisation of the acquisition process for the UK Bay Class amphibious ship Largs Bay.
The Government announced on April 6 that Australia had been successful in its bid to acquire the vessel at a cost of £65 million (approximately $100 million).
The negotiations for the RFA Largs Bay have now been completed with the signing of the sales agreement by the Australian and the United Kingdom Governments on June 8.
The third and final payment of $35 million (£22 million) will now be made.
The purchase follows successful sea-trials undertaken in April and inspection by international shipping firm Teekay confirming that the ship is in a good material state.
The ship will now undergo essential re-fit and maintenance work in the UK as part of the ship’s normal five–year recertification cycle to allow it to join the Royal Australian Navy at the end of this year.
The Largs Bay is a 16,000 tonne landing ship launched in 2003 and commissioned in 2006.
It was purchased to ensure Australia’s amphibious capability following the decommissioning of HMAS Manoora.