RAN’s Air Warfare Destroyer Program is completed after delivery of NUSHIP Sydney

Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) final Air Warfare Destroyer, NUSHIP Sydney, has been officially handed over to Ministry of Defence on 28th February, Minister of Defence Linda Reynolds has announced via Twitter.

NUSHIP Sydney is the final of the three ships (Hobart Class) 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 attended the acceptance ceremony at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide.

“Today’s milestone demonstrates the success of the [Government’s] Naval Shipbuilding Plan,” Minister Reynolds said.

“While the delivery of NUSHIP Sydney marks the end of this program, it represents an exciting time for the National Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise, as we continue to build upon the unique skills developed at this precinct and transfer them across the whole shipbuilding ecosystem.

“I congratulate the 5000 workers who have worked directly on this program over the past decade, from the design phase through to the construction, integration and delivery of these magnificent ships.

“The significance of this success cannot be understated and is reflected in the truly world-class capability of these warships, and the naval shipbuilding and combat system integration skills that have been developed at Osborne.”

NUSHIP Sydney :

The ship is operated by a 186-man crew, powered by a combination of gas and diesel turbines with a twin propeller engine. The new ships can sail at a top speed of 28 knots, with a range of more than 9000 kilometres.

Sydney will provide air defence for accompanying ships in addition to land forces and infrastructure in coastal areas, and for self-protection against missiles and aircraft. The Aegis Combat System incorporating the state-of-the-art phased array radar, AN/SPY 1D(V), in combination with the SM-2 missile, will provide an advanced air defence system capable of engaging enemy aircraft and missiles at ranges in excess of 150km.

Sydney will carry a MH-60R helicopter for surveillance and response to support key warfare areas. The surface warfare function will include long range anti-ship missiles and a naval gun capable of firing extended range munitions in support of land forces.

Sydney will also conduct undersea warfare and be equipped with modern sonar systems, decoys, surface-launched torpedoes and an array of effective close-in defensive weapons.

These capabilities ensure that the Hobart class guided missile destroyers have the layered defensive and offensive capability required to counter conventional and asymmetric threats.