With a zealous crowd and great fanfare, the guided missile destroyer HMAS Hobart (DDG-39) was commissioned in to the Royal Australian Navy fleet in a formal ceremony at Garden Island in Sydney on 23 September 2017.
The Prime Minister of Australia, the Honourable Malcolm Turnbull joined with other dignitaries, ship’s company and family and friends to welcome the newest ship to the Australian Fleet.
Mr. Turnbull said Australia plays a leading role in ensuring the world remains at peace.
«In these uncertain times, a strong, well equipped Australian Defence Force is absolutely critical», he said. «The commissioning of HMAS Hobart provides clear evidence of our determination to keep Australians safe and ensure we are ready and able to meet the challenges that come our way in the years ahead. Wherever she may travel around the world, Hobart will serve our nation and take action in Australia’s name».
The third Australian Navy ship to carry the name Hobart 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.
Hobart’s state-of-the-art Aegis combat system, including the phased array radar and missile systems, will provide an advanced air defence system capable of engaging enemy aircraft and missiles at ranges in excess of 150 kilometres/93 miles/81 NM.
She will also be capable of undersea warfare and be equipped with modern sonar systems, decoys, surface-launched torpedoes and an array of effective close-in defensive weapons
Commanding Officer, Hobart, Captain John Stavridis said the ship will be the most complex and capable warship ever operated by Australia.
«She is as powerful as she is potent and is every bit a destroyer», he said. «Her sensors and weapons are leading edge and she is capable of conducting the full span of maritime security operations. However, without the 185 men and women who serve in her, she is just another ship alongside. To be a warship requires a specialist team who are masters in their individual skills and are capable of working collectively to achieve the mission. I am blessed with such a crew, who are both proficient and professional».
The ceremony included the breaking of the commissioning pennant and hoisting of the Australian White Ensign for the first time, at which point, Hobart became the responsibility of Captain Stavridis.
Witnessing the historic occasion were sailors from the former Hobarts which served with distinction in the Second World and Vietnam Wars.
Characteristics
| Length | 481.3 feet/146.7 m |
| Beam | 61 feet/18.6 m |
| Draft | 23.6 feet/7.2 m |
| Full load displacement | 7,000 tonnes |
| Main Engine | 36 MW/48,276 hp |
| Top speed | 28+ knots/32 mph/52 km/h |
| Range at 18+ knots/21 mph/33 km/h | 5,000+ NM/5,779 miles/9,300 km |
| Crew | 186 |
| Accommodation | 234 |
| Combat System | Aegis Weapon System Baseline 7.1 |
| AN/SPY-1D(V) Phased Array Radar (81 NM/93 miles/150 km) | |
| AN/SPQ-9B Horizon Search Radar | |
| Mk-41 Vertical Launch System (48 VLS cells: RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM)/Standard Missile-2 (SM-2)/SM-6) | |
| Mk-45 Mod.4 5” (127-mm) 62 Calibre Gun (Range: 20 NM/23 miles/37 km) | |
| Advanced Harpoon Weapon Control (2 × 4 launchers) | |
| Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite | |
| Very Short Range Air and Surface Defence | |
| Nulka Active Missile Decoy system | |
| Integrated Sonar System incorporating a hull mounted and towed array sonar | |
| Communications Suite | |
| Aviation | Flightdeck and hangar for one helicopter |
| Boats | Two Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) |