Engineers are working to repair one of the Royal Australian Navy's newest ships, with Defence investigating "possible mechanical defects" on the Spanish-built HMAS Supply.
Details of the problems recently discovered on board the navy's replenishment vessel are being kept closely guarded, but the ABC's been told it involves either a large bracket or drive train that is connected to the rotor.
In a statement, the Defence Department told the ABC: "While undergoing routine checks, HMAS Supply has identified potential mechanical defects requiring contractor assistance."
"Rectification of the issues is a priority. Defence is working with Navantia as necessary to resolve the issues," the spokesperson added.
Sources with knowledge of the situation have told the ABC the mechanical problems were discovered by HMAS Supply's crew last week, and the ship is being kept alongside in Cairns as initial assessment and repair work is carried out.
Defence insists that "at no point was HMAS Supply under tow" following the discovery of the mechanical problems, with one figure who was not authorised to comment publicly telling the ABC the ship is still able to operate under its own propulsion.
HMAS Supply is soon expected to head for Sydney's Garden Island naval base for further repair work, but defence figures have rejected suggestions the ship would need to be towed to get there.
The replenishment ship was delivered to Australia in 2020 after being constructed at the Navantia Shipyards in Ferrol, Spain, before being commissioned into service with the RAN the following year.
Australia currently has two Auxiliary Replenishment Vessels (AOR) in service, HMAS Supply (II) and HMAS Stalwart, with both Spanish built ships commissioned in 2021.
According to the Navy, the ships "are intended to carry fuel, dry cargo, water, food, ammunition, equipment and spare parts to provide operational support for the deployed naval or combat forces operating far from the port on the high seas for longer periods".
"In addition to replenishment, the vessels can be used to combat against environmental pollution at sea, provide logistics support for the armed forces, and to support humanitarian and disaster relief (HADR) operations following a natural disaster," it said.
The discovery of mechanical problems on board HMAS Supply come at a sensitive time for Navantia, which is lobbying vocally to construct three new Hobart-class warships in Spain for Australia at a cost of roughly $6 billion.
Navantia's bid for the lucrative work comes amid heightened speculation that the recently completed Defence Strategic Review has recommended a reduction to the Hunter class frigate program being run by British company BAE Systems.
In 2017, the ABC revealed propulsion problems hampering two other Navantia built ships, the Landing Helicopter Docks HMAS Canberra and HMAS Adelaide.
