USS Canberra: US commissions first Navy warship in foreign port

SYDNEY, Jul 22 (Reuters) – The United States commissioned a warship in Sydney, Australia on Saturday, the first time a U.S. Navy ship has entered active duty in a foreign port, as the two close allies intensify their military ties in response to China’s expanding regional reach.

Named after a Royal Australian Navy cruiser that sank while supporting the US Navy landings on Guadalcanal in 1942, the Independence-class littoral combat ship was commissioned in a ceremony at an Australian naval base in Sydney Harbour, officially joining the active US Navy fleet.

“Australians can be proud that this ship, designed in Western Australia by local industry and named HMAS Canberra, is being commissioned here for the first time in US Navy history,” Australian Defense Minister Marles said in a statement.

The commissioning of the US ship in Australian waters reflected “our shared commitment to upholding the rules-based order”, it added.

The ceremony comes in the middle of the biennial talisman saber military exercises between the US and Australia, seen as a show of strength and unity as China increasingly asserts its power in the Indo-Pacific.

The exercises, which take place at various locations across Australia over two weeks, include air and ground combat drills, as well as amphibious landings.

In addition to Australia and the US, forces from Canada, Fiji, France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Republic of Korea, Tonga and Britain are participating.

As part of the war games, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) launched a surface-to-ship missile off Australia’s east coast at Jervis Bay, about 195 km (121 miles) south of Sydney, on Saturday.

Australia’s Department of Defense said the drill “marked the first time the JGSDF had tested the capability in Australia.”

Germany participates for the first time with 210 paratroopers and marines participating, as the European nation reinforces its presence in the region.

Under the AUKUS project announced in March, the United States and Britain agreed to help Australia acquire a fleet of nuclear powered submarines.

Before then, in the early 2030s, the United States is supposed to sell Australia three US Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines, with an option for Australia to buy two more.

Reporting by Sam McKeith in Sydney; Edited by Stephen Coates

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