HMAS Balikpapan (L 126)
 HMAS Balikpapan in 2011 |
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| Career (Australia) |  |
|---|---|
| Namesake: | City of Balikpapan |
| Builder: | Walkers Limited |
| Laid down: | May 1971 |
| Launched: | 15 August 1971 |
| Commissioned: | 8 December 1971 (Army) |
| Recommissioned: | 27 September 1974 (Navy) |
| Motto: | "Bravely in Action" |
| Honours and awards: |
Battle honours: East Timor 1999-2000 |
| Status: | Active as of 2012 |
| Badge: |  |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Balikpapan class landing craft heavy |
| Displacement: | 316 tons |
| Length: | 44.5 m (146 ft) |
| Beam: | 10.1 m (33 ft) |
| Propulsion: | Two Caterpillar diesels |
| Speed: | 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) |
| Capacity: | 180 tons of vehicle cargo or 400 soldiers |
| Complement: | 13 |
| Armament: | 2 x 0.50 inch machine guns |
HMAS Balikpapan (L 126) is the lead ship of the Balikpapan class of heavy landing craft (LCH). Ordered in 1969, Balikpapan entered service with the Australian Army Water Transport Squadron in late 1971. After this, the decision to place all seagoing Army vessels under the control of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) saw Balikpapan transferred and commissioned in 1974; the last of the eight-vessel class to enter RAN service. Balikpapan was placed in reserve in 1985, but was reactivated three years later. During late 1999 and early 2000, the vessel was part of the INTERFET peacekeeping taskforce, and made additional deployments to East Timor in 2001 and 2006. As of 2011, Balikpapan is active in RAN service.
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[edit] Design and construction
The eight-vessel Balikpapan class was ordered as a locally-manufactured replacement for the Australian Army's LSM-1 class landing ship medium and ALC 50 landing craft.[1] They are 44.5 metres (146 ft) long, with a beam of 10.1 metres (33 ft), and a draught of 1.9 metres (6 ft 3 in).[2] The landing craft have a standard displacement of 316 tons, with a full load displacement of 503 tons.[2] They are propelled by two G.M. Detroit 6-71 diesel motors, providing 675 brake horsepower to the two propeller shafts, allowing the vessels to reach 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph).[2] The standard ship's company is 13-strong.[2] The Balikpapans are equipped with a Decca RM 916 navigational radar, and fitted with two 7.62 millimetres (0.300 in) machine guns for self-defence.[2]
The LCHs have a maximum payload of 180 tons; equivalent to 3 Leopard 1 tanks, 13 M113 armoured personnel carriers 23 quarter-tonne trucks, or four LARC-V amphibious cargo vehicles.[2][3] As a troop transport, a Balikpapan class vessel can transport up to 400 soldiers between a larger amphibious ship and the shore,[citation needed] or embark 60 soldiers[citation needed] in six-berth caravans for longer voyages.[3] The vessel's payload affects the range: at 175 tons of cargo, each vessel has a range of 1,300 nautical miles (2,400 km; 1,500 mi), which increases to 2,280 nautical miles (4,220 km; 2,620 mi) with a 150-ton payload, and 3,000 nautical miles (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) when unladen.[2] The flat, box-like keel causes the ships to roll considerably in other-than-calm conditions, limiting their ability to make long voyages.[3]
Balikpapan was laid down by Walkers Limited at Maryborough, Queensland in May 1971, launched on 15 August 1971 and commissioned into the Australian Army Water Transport Squadron on 8 December[citation needed] 1971.[4] After completing sea trials, Balikpapan began full operational service in 1972, with a combined RAN/Army crew.[5]
[edit] Operational history
In 1972, the decision was made that all Army seagoing vessels would be transferred to the RAN, with the Army retaining control of small landing craft and harbour support vessels.[3] Balikpapan was transferred to the RAN and commissioned on 27 September 1974; as the other seven LCHs had commissioned into the RAN on completion, Balikpapan was the last to enter naval service.[6]
Balikpapan was paid off into reserve at Cairns on 18 September 1985, but was reactivated in 1990.[6]
Balikpapan was deployed to East Timor as part of the Australian-led INTERFET peacekeeping taskforce.[7] The landing craft was attached to INTERFET on two occasions; first from 20 September to 13 October 1999, then from 8 December 1999 to 15 January 2000.[7] The ship was later awarded the battle honour "East Timor 1999-2000" in recognition of her service.[8][9] Balikpapan later operated in support of UNTAET, and was the last RAN ship to leave East Timorese waters when she sailed from Dili in August 2001.[citation needed]
Balikpapan returned to East Timor in 2006 during Operation Astute.
[edit] Citatons
- ^ Gillett, Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946, pgs 79, 125
- ^ a b c d e f g Wertheim (ed.), The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World, p. 26
- ^ a b c d Gillett, Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946, p. 79
- ^ Wertheim (ed.), The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World, p. 25
- ^ Gillett, Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946, p. 124
- ^ a b Gillett, Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946, p. 80
- ^ a b Stevens, Strength Through Diversity, p. 15
- ^ "Navy Marks 109th Birthday With Historic Changes To Battle Honours". Royal Australian Navy. 1 March 2010. http://www.navy.gov.au/Navy_Marks_109th_Birthday_With_Historic_Changes_To_Battle_Honours. Retrieved 14 March 2010.
- ^ "Royal Australian Navy Ship/Unit Battle Honours". Royal Australian Navy. 1 March 2010. http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Units_entitlement_list.pdf. Retrieved 14 March 2010.
[edit] References
- Gillett, Ross (1988). Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946. Brookvale, NSW: Child & Associates. ISBN 0867772190. OCLC 23470364.
- Stevens, David (2007). Strength Through Diversity: The combined naval role in Operation Stabilise. Working Papers. 20. Canberra: Sea Power Centre - Australia. ISBN 978064296764. ISSN 1834-7231. http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Working_Paper_20.pdf. Retrieved 6 September 2010.
- Wertheim, Eric, ed. (2007). The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems (15th ed.). Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. p. 26. ISBN 9781591149552. OCLC 140283156. http://books.google.com/books?id=TJunjRvplU4C.
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