Australia’s last two Adelaide-class frigates return home from final overseas deployments

Image: US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bryan Niegel
Image: US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bryan Niegel – HMAS Melbourne

The last two of the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) six 1980s-era Adelaide-class guided missile frigates have returned to Australia following the completion of their final overseas deployments before their scheduled retirement later this year.

The 138-metre-long sister ships HMAS Melbourne (pictured) and HMAS Newcastle arrived in Australia earlier this week and are set to conduct several port visits throughout the country including visits to their respective namesake cities.

Following the Adelaide-class ships’ retirement, their role will be taken over by the new Hobart-class air warfare destroyers that began entering service in 2017.


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