The hull of what will be Australia’s largest warship - the Canberra Class Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) Ship 1 - was launched last week at Ferrol Dockyard, Spain. Navantia has built up the hull to the flight deck 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 RAN Chief of Navy, Vice-Admiral Russ Crane and other Australian and Spanish dignitaries attended the ceremony. VADM Crane also attended 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.
VADM Crane said that with a new generation in technology would come a new way of thinking in terms of how Navy would operate and crew this new capability.
“We are well progressed in our planning for the LHD arrival. I am confident we will have the people and the knowhow by the time the first LHD comes on line. Most importantly for now, this project is on time and on budget.”
Both ships will be based at Garden Island in Sydney and at this stage, still fit under the Harbour Bridge (just).