The Royal Australian Navy’s fleet of landing helicopter docks have achieved final operational capability, the Australian Department of Defence announced on 12 November.
The two Canberra-class vessels, Canberra and Adelaide, are homeported at Garden Island, Sydney. At 230m long and with a speed of more than 20kt, the 27,500t ships have the ability to support six helicopters and four small landing craft that are able to carry the Australian Army’s M1A1 main battle tank.
The vessels are designed to provide support for amphibious operations such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and amphibious warfare.
Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said: ‘The Australian Defence Force’s amphibious capability is an integral part of Australia’s strategic posture and this milestone is another step in navy’s roadmap to delivering amphibious excellence.’
Singapore’s navy has introduced the Combatant Craft Underwater vessel, a multi-mode swimmer delivery vehicle designed to enhance its Naval Diving Unit’s ability to conduct covert maritime special operations.
After estimating that the first Columbia-class submarine would be delivered 16 months late, the US Navy has recently confirmed that an additional month will be required to complete its construction.
Naval vessels are at high risk when in harbour, port or dockside and the threat from asymmetric attacks has been shown in the Ukraine war against Russian ships. A demonstration of combined systems in the UK hoped to show a potential solution to defence, government and commercial delegates.
After troubled progress with the Littoral Combat Ship programme, the US Navy plans to commission USS Pierre (LCS 38) this autumn.
The frigates are based on Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 design but are substantially changed and include a range of Turkish weapons such as radars, sonar, guns and electronic warfare systems.
RTX Raytheon will supply missile kits, parts and components to Mitsubishi Electric Corporation for the production of Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles Block 2.
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