Acquisitions
COOP was initiated in 1985, to cover the gap in mine warfare capability caused by the decommissioning of the Ton-class minesweepers and delays in building their replacements, the Bay-class minehunting catamarans.Jones, in Stevens (ed.), ''The Royal Australian Navy'', p. 252 In order to equip the auxiliary vessels, the RAN acquired several Klein Type 590 towed sidescan sonar arrays, along with Mini-Dyad magnetic influence sweep arrays, AMASS influence sweep arrays, and mechanical minesweeping gear.Wertheim (ed.), ''The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World'', p. 23 When the Bays were found to be poorly suited for minehunting work, the COOP vessels were kept on until the ''Huon'' class entered service, with some retained even later as a supplementary force. Six vessels were purchased under COOP: and (ex tuna fishing boats), (a lighthouse tender), , and the ''Bandicoot''-class minesweepers ''Bandicoot'' and ''Wallaroo'' (former Singaporean harbour tugboats).Gillett, ''Australia's Navy'', p. 44 Another three trawlers, ''Salvatore V'', ''Waverider'', and ''Carole S'', were chartered. Also acquired under the program were three drone ships, which could be operated from the auxiliary minesweepers.Wertheim (ed.), ''The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World'', p. 24 Although not directly a part of COOP, the Defence Maritime Services training ship '' Seahorse Horizon'' can also be fitted out as an auxiliary minesweeper.End of the program
Citations
References
* * * ** ** * {{Royal Australian Navy Royal Australian Navy Mine warfare vessels of the Royal Australian Navy