The Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Alliance delivered the second destroyer, NUSHIP Brisbane, to the Royal Australian Navy at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia on July 27th.

The Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Alliance delivered the second destroyer, NUSHIP Brisbane, to the Royal Australian Navy at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia on July 27th.

Second Hobart class Air Warfare Destroyer Delivered to Royal Australian NavyNUSHIP Brisbane during sea trials. Picture: AWD Alliance

NUSHIP Brisbane is the second of three destroyers being built and integrated by the AWD Alliance, comprised of the Department of Defence, Raytheon Australia and ASC Shipbuilding with support from Navantia Australia. In the coming months, NUSHIP Brisbane will sail from Adelaide to Sydney where she will be commissioned into service by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

The successful delivery of both HMAS Hobart and NUSHIP Brisbane is a further demonstration of the truly sovereign and unique shipbuilding and systems integration capability that the AWD program has built for Australia.

Hobart-class AWDs 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.

The AWDs are replacing the Australian Navy’s six Adelaide-class guided-missile frigates, three of which are currently still service.