The Royal Australian Navy’s First Lady of the Fleet, HMAS Anzac (III), has been farewelled after 28 years of service during a decommissioning ceremony at her home port of HMAS Stirling in Perth. HMAS Anzac – the longest-serving commissioned vessel in the Navy – was farewelled by many crew who have called her home over 28 years of service.
The decommissioning recognises the stories of bravery, service, and sacrifice of the ship and her company. Commissioned on 18th May 1996, HMAS Anzac is the third Royal Australian Navy ship to carry the name of the Australian legend. Anzac was granted freedom of entry to the City of Albany, Western Australia, the departure port for the original ANZAC contingent, and has forged a close association with the City of Rockingham over many years.
The ship participated in many deployments and operations during its service, most famously when she was deployed to the Gulf region in October 2002, and was part of what is now known as ‘Five Inch Friday’, the first time that the Royal Australian Navy had engaged in combat naval gunfire support since the Vietnam War.
Decommissioning HMAS Anzac will pave the way for the long-term investment in enlarging and enhancing Navy’s fleet, in response to the recommendations made by the Independent Analysis of Navy’s Surface Combatant Fleet.
Chief of Navy Australia, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond said, “HMAS Anzac’s motto is ‘united we stand’ and I am very proud to say that the personnel and veterans who have served on board have stood united to protect Australia’s maritime interests within the region. An Australian warship is a strategic capability, but it is also a home, a sanctuary for those in peril on the sea and a floating embassy representing Australia abroad. Thousands of men and women have called this ship home since it was commissioned in 1996, and for some, HMAS Anzac represents key milestones in their lives and I thank each and every one of them, and their families for their support.”
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Sad to see her go but 28 years is a solid innings. I wonder what will become of her now? Scrapped and recycled? Sunk as target practice or artificial reef? Sold? Kept as a museum or training ship? My preference would be to have her held in reserve (preferably out of the water) just in case the strategic situation changes for the worse and later converted to a museum ship. It could also become a good ambassador for Navy recruitment if toured around Australia’s coastal cities and communities. Watch as Defence chooses the cheapest/worst option though.
Turned into scrap is my understanding. I agree that there are far better options, such as being held in reserve.
And so it begins, The Government spends millions of Dollars on a review that states plainly that the Navy needs to more hulls in the water. So it’s response is to make a lot of promises and start decommissioning the Hulls we have. A Fleet replacement strategy should have been in place 10 years ago, the replacement for HMAS Anzac should be already in the water being fitted out or at least nearing her launch but it’s not even been decided what design will replace her and it’s only going to get worse when HMAS Arunta is decommissioned in 2 years , when Hopefully the design will be at least decided on. Instead of the ridiculous Hunter Frigate Project and wasting money on Big Grey Taxis as well as a Nuclear Design Submarine with a Diesel Electric motor( what genius thought that up ) replacement ships should have being looked at ,if not immediately at least soon after the Anzac and Hobart classes were finished. Navantia have ships across the 3 Classes ( Tasman Corvettes, Alpha 500 Frigate and the Flight III Detaroyer) that the R.A.N. Needs. Someone in Authority should be on the phone to them now and hopefully we will have a Navy before the PLAN is conducting exercises in Port Phillip Bay…..
Totally agree – the lack of advanced planning has been disgraceful.
I thought I heard somewhere that it will be gifted to the Philippines. It could be a good fit for them.
If it is left up to the Government they will probably bury it, alongside the choppers.