Adelaide class deployments complete
The final deployment by a Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Adelaide class guided missile frigate is now complete, with HMAS Newcastle arriving back in Australia.
HMAS Newcastle has sailed over 900 000 nautical miles in 25 years of service, and received battle honours for operations in East Timor, the Persian Gulf and the Middle East.
The Adelaide class frigates have served the RAN since 1980. The six vessels are being replaced by three Hobart class Air Warfare Destroyers.
Of the six, HMA Ships Adelaide, Canberra, Sydney and Darwin have already been decommissioned, and the final two, Newcastle and Melbourne will retire later this year.
Before returning to her home port at Garden Island in Sydney for the last time, Newcastle will participate in a number of special events.
Plans for the ship following Newcastle’s decommissioning are under consideration by the Australian government.
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