The excellent relationship and mutual trust developed over recent years between the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the Spanish Armada has allowed developing new initiatives to span the scope of the cooperation between both Navies. Accordingly, a Statement of Intent (SoI) was signed on July 3, 2012, between Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, Chief of RAN and Admiral General Rebollo, Chief of Spanish Armada to develop a project arrangement to allow the mutual support of each other operational activities.

Under the instrument of SoI, Combat Supply Ship Cantabria left La Grana Naval Port on January 3, 2013, for a one-year deployment to Australia. The aim of the deployment was as follows: Increase the logistic capabilities by providing Afloat Support to RAN during domestic and international training and exercises involving RAN ships; Enhance interoperability between the Armada and RAN; Provide collective training opportunities for both the Armada and RAN; Provide instruction and training for the Australian Navy personnel in the systems on board Cantabria, which share commonalities with the new Australian ships (LHD and AWD) by Personnel Exchange Program (PEP); Provide individual training and experiential opportunities for Armada personnel through PEP arrangement between RAN units and Cantabria; Evaluate the capabilities of the ship in order to provide the RAN with the information that could help to make a decision about the future auxiliary support vessels for RAN and allow the Spanish Armada to test the capabilities of the ship in an extended deployment far away from Spain.

During her deployment Cantabria sailed more than 34,000 nautical miles during 167 days and has carried out more than 60 replenishments at sea. The ship has visited Australian ports of Melbourne, Adelaide, Darwin and Cairns. Cantabria participated in the important ANZAC Day celebrations and the multinational exercises ‘Talisman Saber 2013’ and ‘Triton Centenary 2013’. Cantabria had the privilege of leading the 5th Division during the International Fleet Review with the RAN celebrating the Centenary of the arrival of the first Australian Fleet at Sydney.

The RAN bid farewell to Cantabria in gratitude for her collaboration with the RAN since the month of February 2013. On successful conclusion her deployment in Australia and she sails back to Spain, where she is scheduled to arrive on December 21, 2013.

The farewell ceremony was presided over by the Chief of the Australian Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs in Garden Island, Sydney, home port of the Cantabria during her deployment in Australia. Other authorities included the Spanish Ambassador, Enrique Viguera, the Australian Fleet Commander, Rear Admiral Tim Barrett and the Consul of Spain in Sydney, Álvaro Iranzo.

Personnel on board

For this mission, the ship’s crew consists of 146 men and women. There are 21 officers (including the Commanding Officer and a medical officer), 24 non-commissioned officers, 41 leading seamen and 60 ratings. During the deployment, two crew rotations are scheduled.

Apart from the Spanish crew, and during transit to Sydney, 12 RAN members have embarked to get acquainted with the platform and her systems.

Special personnel support measures were considered when drafting the Deployment Agreement. To this end, a logistic support and maintenance unit was established in Sydney.