The Alhd Canberra, Named In Australia

The naming ceremony of first Canberra class ALHD took place on 15th. February in the facilities of BAE Systems in Williamstown. The ship, mostly built in Navantia-Ferrol arrived Melbourne in October 2012. Navantia and BAE Systems are jointly building 2 amphibious ships for the RAN

The ceremony hosted the Prime Minister of Australia, the Ministers of Defence and Chiefs of Navy of both Australia and Spain, as well as the President of Navantia and the CEO of BAE Systems Australia. The ceremony also counted with the special attendance of Mrs. Vickie Coates, the launching lady, who emotionally reminded the launching of "Canberra" in Ferrol.

The speakers highlighted the strong links of collaboration, institutional and industrial, between both countries. To end the ceremony, a new MoU was signed between Spain and Australia.