"HMAS Canberra 3" launched
Launch of "HMAS Canberra 3"
25. February 2011
| Editorial staff Ship&Offshore
The construction of the LHD (Landing Helicopter Docks) vessel, launched two months earlier, had started with the steel cutting ceremony in 2008 followed by the laying of the keel 12 months later. This early launch provides additional time alongside to complete outfitting and testing through to the summer of 2012, when the hull will be transported to Australia for completion and delivery by BAE Systems Australia in Williamstown.
The two amphibious ships - LHD2 "HMAS Adelaide" to follow one year after - were contracted in Melbourne in 2007, and will be delivered in 2014 and 2015.
The design of the Australians LHDs is based on the “Juan Carlos I”, commissioned to the Spanish Navy last year.
