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HMS Sutherland to visit Australia early next year

Published on: 1 Dec 2017

HMS Sutherland will visit Sydney, Perth and Adelaide early in 2018 as part of her Asia Pacific deployment in the latest opportunity for the Royal Navy and the Australian Navy to collaborate.

During conversations with Australian defence ministers, UK defence secretary Gavin Williamson reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the Australia-UK defence relationship and exploring opportunities for our Armed Forces to work together.

Referencing the ongoing Ashes clash, Mr Williamson said: “Though we may be currently battling against each other on the cricket field, when it comes to defence, we stand together with Australia as allies not opponents.

“Our countries have fought alongside one another since the First World War and we continue to stand strong in the face of today’s intensifying global threats.”

The ship will also use its Australian visit to showcase Britain’s cutting-edge anti-submarine warfare technology.

Whilst in Australia earlier in November, defence minister Harriett Baldwin spoke of her intention to consider the feasibility of fitting an Australian radar on future British warships.

The ‘CEAFAR’ radar, developed by CEA Technologies, is already in service with the Australian Navy and a capability study to fit the radar to British ships will begin in early 2018.