HMPNGS Buna
Template:Short description Template:Use Australian English Template:Use dmy dates
Template:Infobox ship imageTemplate:Infobox ship careerTemplate:Infobox ship careerTemplate:Infobox ship characteristicsHMPNGS Buna is a Template:Sclass heavy landing craft operated by the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF). Prior to 1974, the vessel was called HMAS Buna (L 132) and was operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
Design and construction
Template:Main 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.<ref>Gillett, Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946, pp. 79, 125</ref> They are Template:Convert long, with a beam of Template:Convert, and a draught of Template:Convert.<ref name=Wertheim26>Wertheim (ed.), The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World, p. 26</ref> The landing craft have a standard displacement of 316 tons, with a full load displacement of 503 tons.<ref name=Wertheim26/> They are propelled by two GM Detroit 6-71 diesel motors, providing 675 brake horsepower to the two propeller shafts, allowing the vessels to reach Template:Convert.<ref name=Wertheim26/> The standard ship's company is 13-strong.<ref name=Wertheim26/> The Balikpapans are equipped with a Decca RM 916 navigational radar, and fitted with two Template:Convert machine guns for self-defence.<ref name=Wertheim26/>
The LCHs have a maximum payload of 180 tons; equivalent to 3 Leopard 1 tanks, 13 M113 armored personnel carriers 23 quarter-tonne trucks, or four LARC-V amphibious cargo vehicles.<ref name=Wertheim26/><ref name=Gillett79>Gillett, Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946, p. 79</ref> 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.<ref name=Gillett79/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The vessel's payload affects the range: at 175 tons of cargo, each vessel has a range of Template:Convert, which increases to Template:Convert with a 150-ton payload, and Template:Convert when unladen.<ref name=Wertheim26/> The flat, box-like keel causes the ships to roll considerably in other-than-calm conditions, limiting their ability to make long voyages.<ref name=Gillett79/>
Buna was laid down by Walkers Limited at Maryborough, Queensland on 31 July 1972, launched on 26 September 1972, and commissioned into the RAN on 7 December 1973.<ref name=Swinden20>Swinden, Heavy Lifting for Four Decades, p. 20</ref>
Operational history
In April 1974, Buna, Betano, and Brunei transited to Lord Howe Island as a demonstration of the Balikpanan class' oceangoing capabilities.<ref name=Swinden22>Swinden, Heavy Lifting for Four Decades, p. 22</ref>
On 14 November 1974, Buna was decommissioned from RAN service and transferred to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.<ref name=Swinden21>Swinden, Heavy Lifting for Four Decades, p. 21</ref> In June 2021, Buna was decommissioned from PNGDF service.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
References
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Template:Balikpapan-class LCH Template:RAN amphibious warfare ships