The Australian Navy is just months away from taking charge of its latest state-of-the-art warship as the air warfare destroyer Hobart will soon join the national fleet.
The 6250-tonne destroyer was handed over to the government at a ceremony in Adelaide on Friday and only some final trials remain before it goes into full service.
Two more destroyers are under construction in Adelaide, with the Brisbane due to be handed over late next year and the Sydney in 2020.
Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne says the Hobart and its two sister ships make Australia more capable of defending the nation's interests at home and abroad.
The Hobart will have a crew of 186, a top speed of 28 knots and a range of 5000 nautical miles, or more than 9000 kilometres.
It's been produced by defence shipbuilder ASC, which says 1500 workers have delivered the navy a potent new air warfare capability.
"ASC Shipbuilding and our skilled workforce are immensely proud of building the Hobart ship platform, which successfully completed all sea trials with flying colours," chief executive Mark Lamarre said.
