ADF buys commercial off-the-shelf ship for undersea support

The Australian Defence Force has procured a dedicated undersea-support vessel.

FILE PHOTO: Norwegian-flagged Normand Jarl in its off-shore-electricity-support role has been purchased by Australia and renamed ADV Guidance. Photo courtesy Normand Ships.

After a selection process led by an independent broker, the Norwegian flagged MV Normand Jarl has been procured for $110 million and is currently undergoing inspection and certification activities in Singapore before sailing to Australia under an Australian flag later this year.

The ship will be renamed Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Guidance.

Primary role of ADV Guidance will be to support undersea surveillance-systems trials, including the ability to deploy undersea crewed and uncrewed vehicles, and robotic and autonomous systems.

At 107 metres long, 22 metres wide and displacing 7400 tonnes, ADV Guidance will be able to sustain a range of Defence activities thanks to its modular mission systems, allowing specialist Defence teams and load-outs to be embarked to meet various system trial requirements.

Deputy Secretary Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Tony Dalton said the new acquisition would be used to further advance a range of trials and activities leveraging new technologies in the undersea domain.

“Defence is demonstrating its commitment to providing a cutting edge capability, which will expand the ADF’s ability to deliver multiple undersea project outcomes,” Mr Dalton said.

“ADV Guidance will be instrumental in developing and testing robotic and autonomous underwater systems, ensuring Defence can compete and succeed in a wide variety of complex undersea environments.”

 

 

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