LPA Kanimbla - Roles and Capabilities
The intention was to retain HMAS TOBRUK in addition to the LPAs. When operating together these three ships were expected to meet or exceed the capability requirement in most respects. However, it must be remembered that the LPAs were not designed for their current role and that some of their capabilities were limited to some extent in consequence. In USN service the ships were used to land tanks ashore by beaching and deploying ramps. In RAN service the ships have been converted to operate as amphibious transports which will instead stand offshore and land troops, equipment, or cargo using their own helicopters and/or watercraft. Alternatively they can embark and disembark their cargo from available port facilities.
At the time when it was decided to purchase the ships it was expected that they would undergo minimal conversion at a cost of $30m. This assumed that existing equipment would be retained in use and crew spaces etc. would be left as they were. The two ships would have different levels of capability with one being optimised for training and the other for amphibious lift.
As the project progressed it was thought more desirable to have some of the capabilities installed on both LPAs instead of one only so that they would continue to be available at any time, even if one LPA was in refit. These included a second crane for handling watercraft; enhancements to enable helicopters to operate from both ships in a wider range of weather and light conditions; a second helicopter shelter; and a second medical facility. Other modifications arose to bring LPA habitability, equipment, and environmental standards more into line with other RAN ships.
Each LPA displaces approximately 8,500t and is powered by six diesel engines, which will enable them to cover long distances at speeds of up to 20 knots. They will normally carry 450 fully equipped troops and will have classroom facilities for training ADF personnel.
Each LPA has two helicopter landing spots aft and one forward, with flight control facilities to enable them to be used safely in a range of conditions. They will carry up to four Blackhawk or three Seaking helicopters in an aircraft shelter which will have facilities for doing some maintenance support of these aircraft. Each LPA will routinely embark two Army LCM-8 watercraft on the front deck. In suitable seas they will also be capable of linking up with the RAN's Landing Craft Heavy (LCHs).
After transporting the embarked force ashore the LPAs will be capable of supplying Logistics Over The Shore (LOTS) i.e. without relying on port facilities. They can produce many thousands of litres of fresh water from seawater each day. They each have a medical facility capable of providing treatment up to and including intensive care. They will house a modern, capable Command, Control, and Communications (C3) suite which will enable the Force Commander to conduct operations from the ship.
Manoora has seen active service in the Persian Gulf (2002, 2003) and non-combat service in The Solomon Islands (2000, 2001, 2003) and East Timor (2006). In 2001, Manoora was involved in a diplomatic incident involving a Norwegian cargo ship, MV Tampa and a group of refugees rescued by Tampa. The refugees were transferred to Manoora, and were then transported to Nauru as part of Australia's "Pacific Solution" asylum seeker program.
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