The Royal Australian Navy's (RAN's) two Canberra-class landing helicopter dock (LHD) vessels have achieved final operational capability.
Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said in a 12 November statement that the 27,500- tonne amphibious assault ships, which are home-ported at Sydney's Garden Island, "are ready to be deployed on amphibious operations such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and amphibious warfare".
The RAN "now has one of the most capable and sophisticated amphibious deployment systems in the world, with the fleet's landing helicopter docks achieving final operational capability", added the minister.
HMAS Canberra (III) (with pennant number (L 02) was commissioned in late November 2014 while HMAS Adelaide (III) (L 01) entered service almost a year later.
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