July 22, 2023 statement from Austal. Statement “first US Navy ship to be commissioned outside of the United States in its near 248 year history” has been reported to Austal as fake news. Several ships were commissioned in the UK and Canada in the Second World War. As of August 2nd, Canberra remains in Sydney, broken down.
Today we witnessed history as the USS Canberra was commissioned by the @USNavy at @Australian_Navy’s Fleet Base East in Sydney, Australia. The Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS-30), originally designed by @Austal in Australia and built by @Austal_USA in Mobile, Alabama is the first US Navy ship to be commissioned outside of the United States in its near 248 year history.
A highlight of the ceremony was the many greetings from the crew’s families, recorded in advance of the ceremony, which was streamed live to Austal USA’s facility in San Diego, California so the families could be part of the celebration.
The USS Canberra is a great representation of not only the shipbuilding capabilities of Austal and our defence industry supply chain partners around the world, but of the strong alliance, and genuine friendship between Australia and the United States.
We wish the C/O’s (SIC) and crews of the USS Canberra “fair winds and following seas”, (SIC) and congratulate them on the commissioning of their ship!
Austal photo