The destroyer underwent extensive work in a land-based dock at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia. Its float-off marks the transition from large-scale physical modifications to integration, testing and capability development.
Workers removed outdated onboard equipment and installed new combat-system hardware during the production phase. The availability period also provided an opportunity to complete wider maintenance across the vessel.
The Mk 45 naval gun was refurbished, the bow thrusters were overhauled and the hull and external areas were repainted. The work also covered radar array faces, anchors, chains, windlasses, the diesel generator, fin stabilisers, shaft bearings and propeller blades.
BAE Systems Australia led the work alongside the Naval Construction Branch, Commonwealth Concurrent Work and the Combat System Integration – Integrated Project Team. The team includes the Australian government, Lockheed Martin Australia, Saab Australia and BAE Systems Australia.
The programme will now focus on systems integration, assurance work and preparations for Combat Systems Light Off. That milestone will see the upgraded combat system powered up for the first time.
HMAS Brisbane and HMAS Sydney, the Royal Australian Navy’s two other Hobart-class destroyers, are due to receive similar upgrades in the coming years. BAE Systems described the Destroyer Capability Enhancement effort as the Navy’s largest upgrade programme.
The industrial expertise and infrastructure developed through the work are also intended to support future Australian naval programmes. These include the Hunter-class frigate programme currently under way.
“Returning HMAS Hobart to the water is a significant achievement and reflects the extraordinary amount of work completed by our teams over the past year,” said Shaun Connelly, DDG Program Director, BAE Systems Australia – Surface Ships. “We continue to draw on expertise and resources from across the country to deliver capability for Navy’s frontline warships.”
