First Landing Helicopter Dock hull launched

The hull of what will be Australia's largest warship - the Canberra Class Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) Ship 1 - was today launched at Ferrol Dockyard, Spain.

The hull was built up to the flight deck by Navantia under contract to BAE Systems Australia, which is constructing the superstructure at the Williamstown facility and will consolidate the ship and integrate the combat system.

The hull will arrive at BAE Systems Williamstown Dockyard in August 2012 after a 23,150-kilometre journey as a ‘passenger' on the world's largest open-deck semi-submersible heavy lift ship, the Blue Marlin.

The hull launch marks another important milestone in the construction of Landing Helicopter Dock ships HMAS Canberra and HMAS Adelaide.

The ceremony was attended by the RAN Chief of Navy Vice-Admiral Russ Crane, Agent-General for Victoria Sally Capp and other Australian and Spanish dignitaries.

Vice-Admiral Crane will also attend the keel laying of the second LHD on 18 February where, in keeping with tradition, he will place a gold coin on the centreline dock block.

Victorian Minister for Manufacturing, Exports and Trade Richard Dalla-Riva paid tribute to BAE Systems Australia: ""I congratulate Melbourne's BAE Systems as the prime contractor for this project to build the largest ever warships for the Royal Australian Navy. The major task of installing the superstructure which houses the critical ship control and combat systems will take place here, right on Melbourne's doorstep at Williamstown. Both vessels will be welcomed additions to Melbourne's skyline.

"This project is a terrific endorsement of Victoria's shipbuilding capacity and it positions Williamstown to compete for future naval shipbuilding work.

"To help this happen, the Baillieu Government is working with the Federal Government now to ensure Williamstown secures its fair share of the projected $40 billion spend on new naval ships" he said.

BAE Systems Australia is contracted to deliver two, 27,000 tonne Canberra Class LHD ships between 2014 and 2015 under JP2048 Phase 4A/4B. The company is managing the total project in close cooperation with our customer, the Defence Materiel Office and subcontractors Navantia, Saab and L-3 Communications.

Maritime Business Unit Director Harry Bradford said: "In scale and complexity this is the most challenging Prime Systems Integration task ever undertaken for the ADF in Australia.

"Steel cutting and block manufacture for the superstructure and combat system integration for the ship has already begun at Williamstown.

"We are working closely with the Commonwealth and our sub-contractors to ensure that this critical project remains on track both here and in Spain," Mr Bradford said.

Source: BAE Systems

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