Spanish-designed air defense destroyer with Australian modifications forming Royal Australian Navy capital ships. Three Hobart-class destroyers commissioned 2017-2020 based on Spanish F100 Álvaro de Bazán-class. Features Aegis combat system with SPY-1D radar, 48 vertical launch cells firing SM-2 and Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles, 5-inch gun, torpedo tubes, helicopter facilities. Provides area air defense for Australian task forces, land attack with Tomahawk cruise missiles, anti-submarine warfare. Constructed at ASC shipyard in Adelaide with significant teething problems but operational mid-2020s. Represents Australian Aegis capability enabling integration with US Navy, defending against aircraft and missiles. Critical for power projection and defending Australian maritime approaches. Future upgrades planned including improved missiles and sensors.
- Aegis combat system provides world-class integrated air and missile defense
- SM-6 capability enables long-range engagement of aircraft and cruise missiles
- Proven Spanish hull design with excellent seakeeping
- Three ships provide credible area air defense for task groups
- Only 3 ships — very small class limits availability (one typically in maintenance)
- SPY-1D radar is previous generation; being superseded by SPY-6 globally
- 48 VLS cells is moderate; could be overwhelmed by saturation attacks
- No land-attack cruise missile capability currently embarked
- Australian-specific modifications added complexity and cost to the build program
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Main gun accuracy at extended range requires stabilization and fire control maturity that few systems achieve.