Breaking news
Royal Australian Navy Commissioned its Second Canberra class LHD HMAS Adelaide.
| 2015
HMAS
Adelaide. Picture: RAN |
|||
The capable
air-land-sea amphibious asset joins her sister ship HMAS Canberra in service
and marks the transformation of Navy capability. The LHDs are the next
generation of Navy ships and are the first ships in a major fleet expansion. Over the coming decades, the Australian Navy will undergo its most significant period of recapitalisation since World War II, with new submarines, frigates, offshore patrol vessels and other specialist vessels. In 2016, the first of three Hobart Class Destroyers will also join the fleet. The 230 metre long LHDs are the largest ships ever built for the Navy. The 27,000 tonne amphibious assault ships are designed with the shallowest possible draft to manoeuvre in littoral waters and ports and can deploy an embarked force of over 1,000 personnel and their equipment, landing ashore via landing craft or helicopters. In addition to two operating theatres, the LHDs have an eight bed Critical Care Unit, resuscitation, and a variety of wards, pathology, radiology, x-ray, pharmacy and dental facilities. |
|||