Second LHD Australia-bound

The hull of the second and last of the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Landing Helicopter Docks (LHD) has departed Spain.

The LHD hull will be transported to Melbourne, Australia, by the Heavy Lift Ship Blue Marlin. The hull was built at the Navantia Ferrol shipyard in Spain.

The hull of the second and last of the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Landing Helicopter Docks (LHD) has departed Spain.

The LHD hull will be transported to Melbourne, Australia, by the Heavy Lift Ship Blue Marlin. The hull was built at the Navantia Ferrol shipyard in Spain.

Announcing the news, Minister for Defence, David Johnston, explained what the new capability will deliver.

“The Canberra Class LHDs are the largest ships ever built for the Navy and will provide the Australian Defence Force with one of the most capable and sophisticated amphibious deployment capabilities in the world,” he said.

When completed the LHDs will be more than 230 metres long, 27.5 metres high and weigh around 27,500 tonnes.

Senator Johnston said each ship can carry a combined arms battle group of more than 1100 personnel, 100 armoured vehicles and 12 helicopters and features a 40-bed hospital.

“The departure of LHD02 (to be known as HMAS Adelaide) from Vigo en route for Australia marks another major milestone for the DMO, RAN and the prime contractor BAE Systems.”

“On arrival in Australian waters the ship will transit to Melbourne and then on to the Williamstown dockyard for consolidation of the superstructure and installation of the combat, communications and navigation systems by local ship builders BAE Systems.”

“The trip is expected to take approximately eight weeks depending on weather conditions,” he said.

Following the completion of sea trials the vessel is currently scheduled to be delivered to the RAN in the second half of 2015.

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