HMAS Canberra LHD To Be Handed Over Q3 2014

DigitalGlobe imagery from 15JAN14 of HMAS Canberra at Williamstown

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HMAS Canberra LHD To Be Handed Over Q3 2014

The Canberra class amphibious assault ships are the largest vessels ever constructed for Australia, and it appears the Royal Australian Navy will be receiving one later this year. Measuring 230 meters and weighing over 27,000 tons, the Canberra class can carry 16 helicopters, among which include the UH-60 Blackhawk, CH-47F Chinook and the EC665 Tiger ARH.

According to multiple reports in the Australian press, the ship has been undergoing a series of sea trials since March, which will eventually culminate in a voyage around Victoria and Gippsland to test the vessel’s performance. Those watching satellite imagery of the vessel at BAE’s Williamstown shipyard from 2013-2014, have long awaited the trials. Imagery has shown less and less clutter on the deck suggesting the vessel was readying to sail, further substantiating progress reports. After the trials are complete, the ship will be handed over to the Navy in Q3 2014. And if all goes according to plan, it will be commissioned in 2015.

The Canberra is the first of two LHDs being built for the navy at a cost of about $3 billion. It will carry up to 1600 soldiers to support disaster relief and peacekeeping operations, or so the narrative goes. The lower decks will be capable of holding more than 100 trucks as well as other vehicles including up to a dozen Abrams battle tanks. Four mechanized landing craft will also be on board ready to ferry the troops and their equipment to shore