HMAS Wewak (L 130)

HMAS Wewak unloading or loading an Australian Army truck during Operation Bel Isi on Bougainville
History
Australia
Namesake:	Wewak, Papua New Guinea
Builder:	Walkers Limited in Maryborough, Queensland
Laid down:	21 March 1972
Launched:	19 May 1972
Commissioned:	10 August 1973
Decommissioned:	11 December 2012
Homeport:	HMAS Cairns
Motto:	"Do Not Yield"
Status:	Awaiting disposal
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 GM Detroit 12v71 diesels
Speed:	9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph)
Capacity:	180 tons of vehicle cargo or 400 soldiers
Complement:	13
Armament:	two 0.50 inch machine guns

HMAS Wewak (L 130) was the fifth ship of the Balikpapan class of heavy landing craft operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

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. 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). The landing craft have a standard displacement of 316 tons, with a full load displacement of 503 tons. 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). The standard ship's company is 13-strong. 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.

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. As a troop transport, a Balikpapan class vessel can transport up to 400 soldiers between a larger amphibious ship and the shore, or embark 60 soldiers in six-berth caravans for longer voyages. 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. The flat, box-like keel causes the ships to roll considerably in other-than-calm conditions, limiting their ability to make long voyages.

Wewak was laid down by Walkers Limited at Maryborough, Queensland on 21 March 1972, launched on 19 May 1972, and commissioned into the RAN on 10 August 1973.