HMPNGS Buna

HMPNGS Buna operating near Port Moresby in 2016
History
Australia
Namesake	Village of Buna
Builder	Walkers Limited
Laid down	31 July 1972
Launched	26 September 1972
Commissioned	7 December 1973
Decommissioned	14 November 1974
Fate	Transferred to Papua New Guinea Defence Force
Papua New Guinea
Acquired	14 November 1974
Decommissioned	June 2021
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 GE 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

HMPNGS Buna is a Balikpapan-class 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).

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 GM 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 armored 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, or embark 60 soldiers in six-berth caravans for longer voyages.^[3][4] 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]

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.^[5]

In April 1974, Buna, Betano, and Brunei transited to Lord Howe Island as a demonstration of the Balikpanan class' oceangoing capabilities.^[6]

On 14 November 1974, Buna was decommissioned from RAN service and transferred to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.^[7] In June 2021, Buna was decommissioned from PNGDF service.^[8]

Books

• Gillett, Ross (1988). Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946. Brookvale, NSW: Child & Associates. ISBN 0-86777-219-0. OCLC 23470364.
• 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 978-1-59114-955-2. OCLC 140283156.

Journal articles

• Swinden, Greg (April 2013). "Heavy Lifting for Four Decades: The Navy's Landing Craft Heavy". The Navy. 75 (2). Navy League of Australia: 20–24. ISSN 1322-6231.