Spanish AOR Supporting RCN Returns to Spain

Written by David Pugliese, The Ottawa Citizen 

The Spanish Navy’s auxiliary oiler and replenishment ship Patiño has returned to Spain and arrived in port today, according to reports.

Patiño traveled to Canada in mid-February to provide supply and logistics support services to the Royal Canadian Navy on the east coast.

The Spanish Navy noted that the ship was used to train 63 RCN sailors in replenishment at sea techniques and other skills.

A second Spanish supply ship, Cantabria, is expected to travel to Canada in the fall to conduct similar support and training.

Canada is facing a supply ship gap as the new Joint Support Ships are not expected in the water until 2020/2021. Davie is working on converting a container ship into an interim refueller for the RCN. That is expected to be ready in late 2017.

Last summer Canada made arrangements with Chile’s navy to have a supply ship available on the west coast.

RCN In Talks To Lease Spanish AOR in 2016

By David Pugliese and Esteban Villarejo of defensenews.com 

Spain and Canada are negotiating a mutual logistic arrangement (MLSA) to deploy a Spanish replenishment ship with the Canadian fleet in the North Atlantic, both navies confirmed.

The ship deployed "during some periods of 2016" could be the auxiliary oiler and replenishment ship (AOR) Cantabria or Patiño, Spanish Navy sources said. The logistic arrangement is "to cover the Canadian navy's temporary need of logistic support vessels."

The Spanih AOR Cantabria Photo: Spanish Navy

The Cantabria or Patiño would support training for the Royal Canadian Navy’s Atlantic fleet starting in January. "No end date for the use of that support ship has been established," said Royal Canadian Navy spokeswoman Lt. Linda Coleman. “Negotiations are still ongoing and the MLSA is not yet finalized.”

But starting on Oct. 18, Royal Canadian Navy sailors will be serving on the Spanish Navy supply ship Cantabria. Navy spokesman Lt. Len Hickey said 28 sailors will be on the ship to conduct training during NATO's TRIDENT JUNCTURE 15 exercise. Hickey said the training is focused on replenishment-at-sea activities as well as familiarity of engineering systems on the ship. The Canadians will be on the ship until Nov. 10, Hickey said.

The Spanish AOR Cantabria deployed with the Royal Australian Navy in 2013. The government of Australia paid the expenses of that deployment during the year. The Spanish Ministry of Defense is expected to reach a similar arrangement with the Royal Canadian Navy.

This year Canada selected the German Navy's Berlin-class design to replace its two Protecteur-class supply ships, which have been removed from service.