A&P Australia Celebrates Completion of Largest Refit in 15 Years.

10 Years supporting the Royal Australian Navy

Best known for providing outstanding in- service support for the Landing Ship Dock, HMAS Choules, A&P Australia has completed the largest ship repair project that has taken place in Sydney in the last 15 years.

Refit Period 21 also marks the final stage of the SEA 3030-2 Capability Assurance Project for HMAS Choules that has been running for four years. The CAP has been delivered to combat obsolescence, improve performance and ‘Australianise’ Choules making
her more capable for the Royal Australian Navy.

SEA 3030 consisted of 50 discrete activities, which have translated into 102 individual engineering design changes. A&P were responsible for the design, procurement and installation of these changes that commenced in late 2018 and will conclude in 2023.

Refit Period 21 has spanned over 11 months at an estimated production cost of $100m and has been delivered by up to a 500-strong daily workforce from over 50 suppliers. Despite the project spanning the worst impacts of COVID-19 it has been delivered safely and effectively.

The scope has covered a major system renewals programme which includes replacement of the exhaust system, complete HVAC re-configuration, ballast water treatment, numerous auxiliary and mission system upgrades, as well as a major sustainment package for hull and tank preservation, structural and machinery repairs and planned maintenance across all fitted equipment, including power, propulsion, weapons, comms and auxiliary systems.

All of these packages have been delivered in unison demonstrating the ability to integrate capital acquisition projects seamlessly with sustainment. The progressive delivery of SEA3030 as part of an adjusted Usage Upkeep Cycle (culminating in RP21 as a mid-life upgrade) has also allowed A&P and Navy to optimise platform availability by reducing time out of service.

The planning cycles for SEA3030 and RP21 have been continuous with A&P, Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group (NSSG) and Navy working hand in hand to determine project scope, schedule and budget to ensure overall programme success. The relationships forged allowed for effective, real-time decision making and problem solving that navigated the project through many challenges including COVID-19 and the impact on the global supply chain.

To achieve the combined scope of RP21 and SEA3030 A&P expanded its team and supplier base, developed new methodologies and introduced new technologies.

This included conducting 3D laser mapping and point cloud modelling to enable A&P to integrate the engineering change packages and 1700 maintenance tasks during the production period, and increased the volume of pre-fabrication, minimising work load during the project.

Committed to maximising AIC, A&P worked with specialist overseas manufacturers to select and partner with local businesses to supply and fabricate equipment in Australia. The UK based Bay Class exhaust system OEM, Darchem identified and partnered with NDT Australia and Chess Engineering to manufacture 60% of the $5m exhaust system upgrade in Sydney.

A&P’s entire Australian organisation has been fully committed to RP21 over the last two years, with a project team of over 40 waterfront and design engineers often working seven days a week and night-shifts alongside our suppliers and ships staff. The success of RP21 has been testament to the dedication of these individuals and stakeholders.

A&P would like to thank and congratulate all of those who have played their part in RP21 and wish HMAS Choules and her crew well as she embarks on her sea trials.

A&P Australia was incorporated in 2012 soon after the arrival and acquisition of HMAS Choules from the Royal Feel Auxiliary. A&P has grown to a team of 85 maritime sustainment professionals capable of delivering at a major scale through over 300 Australian suppliers.

In 2022 A&P Australia partnered with leading defence and maritime experts Babcock Australasia to tender for the Regional Maintenance Provider East in Sydney as part of the Future Maritime Sustainment Model. We are hopeful this opportunity will allow A&P to continue as a major partner to defence and industry for the safe, efficient and effective delivery of ship repair in Australia.