The second guided missile destroyer Brisbane has entered the first phase of sea trials which will take place over the coming weeks, marking further progress towards her delivery to the Royal Australian Navy next year.
This first phase of sea trials will test the ship’s propulsion, manoeuvring, control and navigation systems and will be followed by a more advanced phase of sea trials next year to test Brisbane's combat and communications systems.
“Our workforce of more than 1,700 in Adelaide has improved and evolved the production and set to work of these ships, with our whole team working hard to achieve this milestone ahead of post-reform schedule targets,” Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Alliance general manager Paul Evans said.
ASC Shipbuilding Chief Executive Officer Mark Lamarre said that today’s milestone signifies further progress across the program. “Today marks another big step forward on the journey of delivering three complex surface combatants to the Royal Australian Navy, with the commencement of Builders Sea Trials for the second future destroyer Brisbane,” he said.
Navantia Australia’s Managing Director Donato Martínez commented on the sense of pride felt throughout the workforce noting today’s achievement. “It is always an exciting moment for a shipbuilder when a new vessel goes to sea for the first time. Following the commissioning of HMAS Hobart earlier this year, the sea trials phase for Brisbane demonstrates the success of the Adelaide shipbuilding enterprise,” said Mr Martínez.
Mid-next year, Brisbane (known in the fleet as 'The Steel Cat') will be delivered to the RAN to join her sister ship, HMAS Hobart (commissioned 23rd September 2017), and will be followed in quick succession by the delivery of the third and final Air Warfare Destroyer, Sydney, in 2019.