Defence has revealed that HMAS Choules, bought from the British last
year, will be out of action until April following a mechanical breakdown June
2012.
Following
consultation with the transformer manufacturer, the Defence Materiel
Organisation, the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Lloyds
Classification Society and the UK Ministry of Defence, the Chief of Navy has made the decision to replace the remaining four
transformers on the Choules before the ship returns to sea.
As detailed in
a previous ADM report, all remaining transformers have now also been inspected and
similar signs of premature ageing have been identified.
This ageing is
within operational limitations and at varying levels.
The total cost
of the replacement is expected to be in the order of $10 million.
The
replacement transformers are currently under construction.
HMAS Choules is scheduled to return to work by
April 2013.
HMAS Tobruk and Australian Defence Vessel Ocean
Shield will provide any humanitarian assistance or disaster relief response
required by Government over that period.
The total cost of the replacement is expected to be in the order of $10 million.
