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.’