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The Royal Australian Navy’s newest guided-missile destroyer, NUSHIP Sydney has officially arrived at Fleet Base East, Garden Island ahead of its formal commissioning and entry into service with the fleet.
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The third and last Hobart Class destroyer to join the Navy’s fleet entered Sydney Heads and made her way through the harbour, with contractors and ship’s company embarked.
Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said the arrival of Sydney is a proud day for Defence and the people of Sydney.
“Today marks another milestone in Defence capability, with Sydney being the most potent and capable warship Australia has ever built. This truly world-class capability demonstrates the success of the government’s Naval Shipbuilding Plan,” Minister Reynolds said.
NUSHIP Sydney is the third of three Hobart Class guided-missile destroyers, the most complex and capable warships Australia has operated.
The ship, alongside HMA Ships Hobart and Brisbane, will primarily provide air defence for accompanying ships, in addition to land forces and infrastructure in coastal areas.
The Hobart Class’ Spanish counterparts entered service with the Spanish Navy beginning in the early 2000s, working alongside key NATO and US maritime assets.
When deployed to the Persian Gulf, the F100s became the first foreign Aegis-equipped ships to fully integrate into a US Navy Carrier Strike Group, while the class has also successfully deployed as the flagship of NATO’s Maritime Group Standing Reaction Force, highlighting the individual and interoperable capabilities of Navy’s new destroyers.
Minister Reynolds added, “The Hobart Class destroyers are the first Australian warships equipped with the US Aegis combat management system, and will allow us to work closer with our allies than ever before.”
The vessels will be capable across the full spectrum of joint maritime operations, from area air defence and escort duties, right through to peacetime national tasking and diplomatic missions.
The Hobart Class combat system is built around the Aegis weapon system. Incorporating the state-of-the-art phased array radar, AN/SPY 1D(V), will provide an advanced air defence system capable of engaging enemy aircraft and missiles at ranges in excess of 150 kilometres.
While based upon the Spanish F100s, the Australian vessels incorporate a number of modifications and Australian-specific structural/design and combat system modifications to provide a uniquely Australian surface combatant with international provenance.
During the transit at Garden Island, Sydney will conduct a number of acceptance trials co-ordinated by Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance personnel.
