The Herald Sun has word that we’ve marked the Fall of Singapore by naming the HMAS Canberra (which in its way marks the rebirth of Australian strategic independence).
Speaking at a ceremony in Melbourne to name the first of two LHDs on Friday, Ms Gillard noted it was the 71st anniversary of the surrender of Singapore.
That event sent a clear message for other island nations – like Australia – that “the best defence is self defence,” she said.
The new vessel is named Canberra, and her sister ship will be called Adelaide.
At 27,500 tonnes, these will be the largest ships ever to serve in the Australian navy – even bigger than Australia’s last aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne – and were acquired at a cost of more than $2 billion.
The above picture was posted to facebook by the RAN:
Spanish Armada Ship Cantabria in Port Phillip Bay sailing past NUSHIP Canberra.
The Cantabria, it should be noted, has been kindly lent to us by the Spanish government and handily solves the fuel and stores issues which would stop the Canberra being operated as an aircraft carrier.