Australia's third Hobart-class AEGIS destroyer to enter operation capability earlier than planned

A Hobart-class destroyer of the RAN together with an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer of the US Navy. Photo c/o Seaforces website.


The third and final Hobart-class air warfare destroyer of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) will be reach operational capability earlier than planned.

This was after a technical upgrade to allow the destroyer HMAS Sydney (DDG-42) to integrate and accommodate the RAN's new fleet of Sikorsky MH-60R naval helicopter will be made while the ship is still being built.


The new Sikorsky MH-60R replaced its older variant Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk as the primary anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare naval helicopter of the RAN.

This fast-tracked process will allow the ship to be 12 months advance in its program to reach operational capability, which allows efficiency and cost savings for the program, as well as providing the RAN with an immediate capability as it retires its Adelaide-class frigates, which are being replaced by the Hobart-class.

The rest of the Hobart-class, which includes the HMAS Hobart (DDG-39) and HMAS Brisbane (DDG-41) will also undergo a similar structural upgrade at Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia.



[1] Australia Department of Defence
[2] Jane's Navy International
[2] Defence Connect
Australia's third Hobart-class AEGIS destroyer to enter operation capability earlier than planned Australia's third Hobart-class AEGIS destroyer to enter operation capability earlier than planned Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal on March 27, 2019 Rating: 5

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