NAVYPEDIA

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Choules 2012

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
Choules (ex-Largs Bay)	L100		Swan Hunter, Wallsend, UK	28.1.2002	18.7.2003	28.11.2006 // 13.12.2011	in service (2019)

Technical data

Displacement standard, t	10000
Displacement full, t	16160
Length, m	168.0 pp 176.6 oa
Breadth, m	26.4
Draught, m	5.80 max
No of shafts	2 azipods
Machinery	2 Wärtsilä-Vasa 12V26 diesel-generators + 2 Wärtsilä-Vasa 8L26 diesel-generators, 2 electric motors
Power, h. p.	9000
Max speed, kts	18
Fuel, t	diesel oil
Endurance, nm(kts)	8000(15)
Armament	6 x 1 - 7.6/90, helicopter deck
Military load	1 LCM or 2 LCVP Mk 5, 24 TEU containers or 32 tanks or 150 light trucks, 70 t cargo, 356 troops
Electronic equipment	2x navigation radars
Complement	158

Graphics

Project history

Budget cuts forced early retirement of this ship from Royal Navy in April 2011 after only six years of service. Transferred to Australia 2012 as a stopgap measure, replacing retired Manoora. The design is based on Royal Schelde's Rotterdam-class LPD. Has 1,200 lane-meters of vehicle accommodation internally and on the flight deck, and can transport 200 tons of combat cargo such as fuel, ammunition, and stores. Two Mexiflote-powered pontoons are stowable on the hull sides. A large helicopter/vehicle/container deck is fitted, but no helicopter hangar; has one large or two small helicopter landing spots. Not capable of beaching. A stern docking well can hold one LCU, though no landing craft are carried in davits. A typical vehicle load could include 36 main battle tanks or up to 150 light trucks. Employs azimuthal propellers and has no rudders. Two 30t vehicle- and cargo-handling cranes are fitted amidships.

Modernizations

None.

Naval service

No significant events.