President Trump names next LCS USS Canberra

The US Navy’s next littoral combat ship, the Independence-variant LCS 30, will be named USS Canberra.

US President Donald Trump announced at a White House news conference with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull the LCS will be the only US Navy vessel named for a city outside the US and the second to bear the name.

Canberra is the capital city of Australia.

The first USS Canberra was a US Navy cruiser named after Australian cruiser HMAS Canberra, which sunk during the Battle of Savo Island.

The 127-metre vessel will be built by Australian-based shipbuilder Austal at its US shipyard in Mobile, Alabama.

“As she sails the open sea, the new USS Canberra will symbolise to all who cross her path the enduring friendship between the United States and Australia. There is no closer friendship,” Mr Trump said.