RAN’s third AWD build underway

Construction on the third Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has begun, with the keel for the vessel laid by the AWD Alliance, it was announced on 20 November.

The vessel, Sydney, is the third and final Hobart Class DDG destroyer to be constructed for the programme to deliver the RAN its most capable warships to date.

In another milestone for the programme, initial combat systems activation has commenced on the first destroyer, Hobart. This vessel is set to commence sea trials in 2016.

The second destroyer, Brisbane, is on track to complete hull consolidation activities in December. 

Peter Croser, AWD program manager, said: ‘We have achieved a number of critical milestones this year, from launching our first ship Hobart in May, to achieving 70 per cent completion on our second ship, Brisbane, and now commencing the hull consolidation phase for our third ship, Sydney.’

The AWD Alliance is responsible for delivering the three Hobart Class DDG destroyers and their support systems to the RAN. The alliance is made up of shipbuilder ASC, mission systems integrator Raytheon Australia and the Australian Department of Defence.