LHDs achieve final operational capability
Royal Australian Navy’s landing helicopter docks ships have officially achieved final operational capability.
FILE PHOTO: Landing helicopter dock ships Canberra (left) and Adelaide at Fleet Base East, Garden Island, Sydney. Photo by Petty Officer Kelvin Hockey.
At 230-metres long and with a speed of more than 20 knots, the 27,500 tonne ships are home-ported at Garden Island, Sydney.
Each ship has the ability to support six helicopters, and four small landing craft, which can carry Army’s M1A1 main battle tank.
Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said HMA Ships Adelaide and Canberra are now ready to be deployed on amphibious operations.
“The Australian Defence Force’s amphibious capability is an integral part of Australia’s strategic posture and this milestone is another step in Navy’s roadmap to delivering amphibious excellence,” Minister Reynolds said.
Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Michael Noonan said Navy was closer to achieving a resilient, sustained and integrated Navy supported by its workforce, as outlined in the Plan Pelorus strategy for 2022.
“As we transition to a more technologically advanced Navy, our goal is to be capable of conducting sustained combat operations as part of a joint force,” Vice Admiral Noonan said.
For more information on Plan Pelorus visit www.navy.gov.au/stategy/plan-
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This has taken a long while to achieve. It’s nice to know that the ships weren’t just there to annoy local residents by blocking their precious views.