HMAS Sydney taking shape
The Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) third Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) is taking shape, with the vessel’s Aegis block now consolidated, the RAN announced on 23 April.
Block 709, which will contain the Aegis weapon system, weighs 202 tonnes. In March the block was lifted onto the top of the hull using a crane, where it was joined to blocks 703 and 705 of what will be HMAS Sydney.
Before consolidation, the aft diesel generator exhaust stack was capped, full paint system applied internally and externally, the combat system was prepared along with the full-fitting of all four Array foundations and lining. To attain the fitting of the Array foundations, the team had to work closely with the accuracy control team to achieve foundation flatness of 0.02 millimetres.
Ship three block consolidation continued with blocks 717 and 713 in April, and will be followed by the mast lift, which is expected in early May.
The AWD programme has reached a number of new milestones recently, including the delivery of the Hobart Class Command Team Trainer. The shore-based support system will enable the RAN to train future crew members on the combat system prior to operational deployment on the AWD destroyers.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Euronaval 2026: Red Cat’s Blue Ops follows USV demand from Asia to the Andes]()
Euronaval 2026: Red Cat’s Blue Ops follows USV demand from Asia to the Andes
With its B-26 USV in full-rate production, Blue Ops is seeking to turn overseas interest into orders through a combination of lower operating costs, UAV integration and local manufacturing.
-
![Euronaval 2026: ‘I want to sell 31 Type 31s by 2031’ - CGO maps Babcock’s global push]()
Euronaval 2026: ‘I want to sell 31 Type 31s by 2031’ - CGO maps Babcock’s global push
Chief growth officer Sir Nick Hine tells Shephard how Babcock is lining up New Zealand, Chile, Denmark and the US for its Arrowhead 140 frigate, speaks on the hybrid navy offer and talks AUKUS.
-
![From Chokepoints to the Deep: ASELSAN’s Naval Vision at EURONAVAL]()
From Chokepoints to the Deep: ASELSAN’s Naval Vision at EURONAVAL
From deployable ship defence to autonomous sea and underwater vehicles, ASELSAN is preparing for a new era of naval security.
-
![Euronaval 2026: by the power of six, Fincantieri’s MMMV reflects modular naval shift]()
Euronaval 2026: by the power of six, Fincantieri’s MMMV reflects modular naval shift
The 50m, six-person ship from the Italian shipbuilder carries swappable, containerised payloads instead of a fixed mission, reflecting a shift that is becoming increasingly evident.
-
![Canada’s submarine availability under pressure as Chicoutimi is unlikely to return to front-line duties]()
Canada’s submarine availability under pressure as Chicoutimi is unlikely to return to front-line duties
HMCS Victoria and HMCS Windsor could return from their current deep maintenance, but unconfirmed operational timelines leave questions over patrol capacity before the first CPSP arrives.
