Future Ships
Air Warfare Destroyer
The Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) will deliver an affordable, effective, flexible and sustainable Air Warfare Destroyer capability for the security of Australia.
The 2000 Defence White Paper stated the Australian Defence Force would replace the Navy’s FFGs with a class of at least three air defence capable ships, the new Air Warfare Destroyers.
The Air Warfare Destroyer Program will provide the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) with one of the world’s most capable all purpose warships. In selecting the F100 as the baseline platform design and coupling it with the Aegis combat system , the Australian Government has ensured tomorrow’s Navy has the best equipment to defend Australia and its national interests.
These 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 will carry a helicopter for surveillance and response to support key warfare areas. The surface warfare function will include long range anti-ship missiles and a naval gun capable of firing extended range munitions in support of land forces.
The Hobart Class will also conduct Undersea Warfare and be equipped with modern sonar systems, decoys, surface-launched torpedoes and an array of effective close-in defensive weapons.
These capabilities ensure the AWDs have the layered defensive and offensive capability required to counter conventional and asymmetric threats.
Landing Helicopter Dock
The Canberra Class Amphibious Ship project will provide the Australian Defence Force with one of the most capable and sophisticated air-land-sea amphibious deployment systems in the world.
These 27,000 tonne ships, also called LHD's (Landing Helicopter Dock), will be able to land a force of over 2,000 personnel by helicopter and water craft, along with all their weapons, ammunition, vehicles and stores.
