IRIA News

The United States commissioned an Independence-class littoral combat ship, USS Canberra, at Sydney Harbor in Australia, on July 22, 2023. This is the first time that a U.S. Naval vessel has been has been commissioned at a foreign port. 

The warship was commissioned during a ceremony at an Australian naval base on Sydney Harbor which was attended by Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, high-level naval officials from Royal Australian Navy, and the U.S. Navy. After its commission, the ship officially joined the U.S. Navy’s active fleet in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Australians can be proud that this ship, designed in Western Australia by local industry and named after HMAS Canberra, is being commissioned here for the first time in the history of the United States Navy,” Australian Defense Minister Marles said in a statement.

The warship reflects the strong relationship between the United States and Australia as well as the ship’s Australian heritage. USS Canberra has been named after a Royal Australian Navy cruiser that sank was sunk during the Battle of Savo Island while supporting the U.S. Marine landings on Guadalcanal in 1942. The commissioning of the U.S. ship in Australian waters reflected a “shared commitment to upholding the rules-based order”, Marles added.

The U.S. Secretary for the Navy Carlos del Toro was also present during the ceremony. “This truly is a special occasion for our fleet and our nation to be here with you in Australia, one of our closest allies, to celebrate the commissioning of our Navy’s newest warship that is destined to serve throughout the Indo-Pacific region,” said Del Toro. “I am confident that wherever USS Canberra is sailing, and whatever challenges her crew may face, they are ready, as reinforced by this warship’s motto ‘Can Do!’”

USS Canberra

The littoral combat ship (LCS), the USS Canberra (LCS 30), is the U.S. Navy’s 16th commissioned Independence-variant LCS. It is the second ship named in honor of the city of Canberra and celebrates “more than 100 years of mateship between the U.S. and Australian allies.”

“Today marks a proud moment which our Royal Australian Navy is privileged to share alongside our allies and friends in the United States Navy,” Australian Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond said. “The connection between our navies, forged in battle during the Second World War, is reflected in the name USS Canberra.”

Congratulations to #USSCanberra on a fantastic Commissioning ceremony! 🥳🎉

It’s been a pleasure to stand side-by-side and pay homage to both our shared history, and the continued close relationship between our two nations. 🇦🇺 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/rTp4dHHKw1

— Royal Australian Navy (@Australian_Navy) July 22, 2023

The vessel is one of 19 Littoral Combat Ships the Australian shipbuilding company Austal’s United States subsidiary is building for the US Navy.

“Watching an Austal-built US Navy warship sail into Sydney Harbour, with the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House in the background, was an absolutely special moment for our Company,” Austal Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said. “It is a source of pride seeing this vessel visiting our home. Plus, its Australian and historical heritage makes it all the more special.”

Growing U.S-Australia defense ties

The U.S. and Australia have grown closer in terms of defense cooperation in the backdrop of China’s increasing military power in the Indo-Pacific region. Washington has been helping Canberra to increase its military capabilities while particularly focusing on its naval strength while increasing its security integration with its other regional allies like Japan and South Korea. 

We welcomed #USSCanberra to Sydney Harbour yesterday, ahead of the historic commissioning this weekend. 👏 Marking the long and special relationship between Australia and the USA, USS Canberra will become the first @USNavy ship commissioned in Australia. 🇦🇺🇺🇸 #YourADF pic.twitter.com/NlFA3YR13I

— Defence Australia (@DefenceAust) July 19, 2023

The United States and Britain have agreed to help Australia acquire a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS agreement. By the early 2030s, the United States is supposed to sell Australia three U.S. Virginia class nuclear-powered submarines, with an option for Australia to buy two more.

Joint military exercise

The commissioning ceremony comes at a time when the U.S. and Australian naval forces are conducting their largest-ever joint military exercises in the region along with Canada, Fiji, France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Republic of Korea, Tonga, and Britain. The two weeks long, Talisman Sabre joint military exercises involve more than 30,000 troops and participants from 11 different countries. 

The exercises, taking place in various locations across Australia, will include mock land and air combat, as well as amphibious landings. Military personnel from India, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand would attend drills as observers.