HMAS Hobart (III)

HMAS Hobart (III) was the first of three ships of the Hobart class guided missile destroyers. Ships of the same class are HMAS Brisbane (III) and HMAS Sydney (V).

The keel of Hobart was laid down on 6 September 2012 and the ship was launched on 23 May 2015. Hobart commissioned on 23 September 2017 at Fleet Base East, Sydney.

Hobart is based on the Navantia designed F100 frigate and is coupled it with the Aegis Combat System. Hobart was made in Australia by the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance.

Hobart gives air defence to accompanying ships and land forces. It also provides infrastructure in coastal areas, and for self-protection against missiles and aircraft.

The Aegis Combat System incorporates the state-of-the-art phased array radar, AN/SPY 1D(V), in combination with the SM-2 missile. This gives the Royal Australian Navy an advanced air defence system that can engage enemy aircraft and missiles at ranges over 150km.

Hobart carries a helicopter for surveillance and response. Its surface warfare function includes long-range anti-ship missiles and a naval gun that can fire extended range munitions to support land forces.

The ship received the 2022 Otranto Shield for the fleet unit with the highest standard in electronic warfare.

Hobart conducts undersea warfare and is equipped with:

·       modern sonar systems

·       decoys

·       surface-launched torpedoes

·       effective close-in defensive weapons.

With these capabilities, Hobart class guided missile destroyers can counter conventional and asymmetric threats.