Australian DoD receives third Hobart-class Air Warfare Destroyer.

On February 28 2020, Defence Minister Linda Reynolds and Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, AO, have presided over the formal acceptance of the Royal Australian Navy’s third and final Hobart Class guided-missile destroyer.

NUSHIP Sydney during recent sea trials (Picture source: Australian Departement of Defense)

The Australian Department of Defence took delivery of the Royal Australian Navy's third and final Hobart-class Air Warfare Destroyer, the future HMAS Sydney (hull number 42), at the Osborne naval shipyard in Adelaide.

The acceptance ceremony, which was attended by Defence Minister Linda Reynolds and Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, marked the conclusion of the AUD9 billion AWD construction programme to replace six Adelaide-class guided-missile frigates, the last of which was decommissioned in October 2019.

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.

The armament of the HMAS Sydney will include the Mark 41 Vertical Launching System capable of firing surface-to-air missiles, Harpoon over-the-horizon anti-ship missiles, light-weight torpedoes, and a Mark 45 127-millimeter gun. The warship will also carry a MH-60R Seahawk anti-submarine warfare helicopter.