The future USS Canberra will make a transit of more than 7,500 miles across the Pacific Ocean, including port visits to key US allies in the region, without its full load of weapons, given the vessel will technically still be a Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU).
A US Navy warship that is yet to be commissioned into service carries the prefix PCU, with the type and hull number designation suffixing the ship’s name. In the case of USS Canberra, it would be listed as PCU Canberra (LCS 30).
The development comes days after the US Navy announced the planned overseas commissioning of the Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) PCU Canberra (LCS 30) on 22 July at the Royal Australian Navy Fleet Base East in Sydney, Australia.
The commissioning ceremony will the first ever conducted on a US naval warship outside of the United States.
“I can think of no better way to signify our enduring partnership with Australia than celebrating the newest US Navy warship named for Australia’s capital city and commissioning her in Royal Australian Navy Fleet Base East surrounded by many of the Australian ships we have worked alongside for years,” stated US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro.
“I look forward to this momentous day for the ship, crew, sponsor, and all our partners in government and industry who worked tirelessly to give the future USS Canberra the celebration it deserves.”
When contacted, a US Department of Defense spokesperson told Naval Technology the vessel would conduct the transit to Sydney without having its armaments loaded, given the pre-commissioning state of the ship.
Crewing of PCU vessels destined for the US Navy is also stringent, with performance restrictions placed on those who are able to qualify for the station. In addition, according to a 2020 US Navy HR policy document, a ‘PRECOMMUNIT’ is “not equipped” to handle “excessive personnel related administrative burdens”.
The future USS Canberra was laid down in 2020, christened in 2021, and arrived in its homeport of San Diego in 2022. The vessel will be the 16thIndependence-class LCS to be commissioned into US Navy service.
US-Australia ties deepen
With its Pacific pivot, the US has placed a renewed emphasis of its relations with allies in the region, none more so than Australia. The ceremonial commissioning of USS Canberra will further deepen these ties, which in March 2023 reached a new peak following the AUKUS submarine programme, which will see the US and the UK assist Australia in the induction of nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSN).
Australia had earlier cancelled a plan to acquire conventionally powered submarines from France, based on the Barracuda design.
The AUKUS programme will see Australia acquire an initial fleet of three US Virginia-class SSNs from the US, delivered in the early 2030s. In addition, a subsequent option of two further Virginia class will be available, potentially providing the Royal Australian Navy with a fleet of five nuclear-powered attack submarines.
Following this, the UK will provide design and expertise for the development of the AUKUS SSN, a new class of SSN to be developed for both the UK Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy.
US Navy SSNs will also conduct more regular visits to Australian naval bases to aid in familiarisation, while Australian personnel are already undergoing nuclear submarine training in the United States.
Australia is seen a key ally in the Indo-Pacific region to counter the rising superpower of China and is set to further cement as a leading regional ally of the US in the years ahead.