RAN's third destroyer completes sea trials
The Royal Australian Navy’s third Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD), NUSHIP Sydney, has completed sea trials, the Australian Department of Defence announced on 9 November.
Final production work on the vessel, including the integration of the MH-60R helicopter, will now be completed ahead of the ship's delivery and provisional acceptance into service in February 2020.
Sydney is the third and final Hobart class ship being delivered by the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance which includes the Department of Defence, Raytheon Australia and ASC Shipbuilding supported by Navantia Australia.
Minister for Defence, Linda Reynolds, said: ‘Today’s milestone is another example of the Liberal and National Government’s successful initiative to reform the AWD programme, setting the scene for the Naval Shipbuilding Plan. Sydney will enter into service early next year, and with her sister-ships HMA Ships Hobart and Brisbane, they will be the most potent warships to date.
‘By using a combination of Australian and globally proven technologies, these highly capable warships are truly world-class and will allow us to work even closer with our allies.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
Swedish navy moves to final phase of Blekinge-class sub production with new Saab order
Saab Kockums was initially awarded the contract to build two A26 submarines for the Royal Swedish Navy in 2015, but the programme has faced delays and escalating costs.
-
Germany goes for more US equipment for F127 frigates with SPY-6 radar choice
If the foreign military sale request is approved, Germany would be the first country outside the US to acquire the technology, which is currently used extensively by the US Navy.
-
US continues to review AUKUS submarine deal as HII ticks off new Virginia-class sea trials
The initial sea trials for Virginia-class SSN 798 conducted by Newport News Shipbuilding division and the US Navy marked an “important step”, but the ongoing AUKUS review casts a shadow over what the progress means for the partner nations.
-
US Navy seeks AI software suppliers to bolster air and missile defence
The US Navy is conducting market research to find AI software products for the Collaborative Integrated Air and Missile Defence Planning Programme.
-
Turkey’s Goksur naval missile completes first live-fire intercept
The Goksur will be available in a range of configurations and could be integrated into Turkey’s nascent Steel Dome which is designed to provide multi-layered protection against a range of aerial targets from mortars to aircraft.