Australian Navy frigate HMAS Darwin retires after 33 years of service

Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Darwin concluded her 33 years of service and was decommissioned in a ceremony at her homeport of Garden Island, Sydney.

In a ceremony on December 9, Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, paid tribute to the service of the ship’s company past and present.

“Darwin has laid down a proud history over her 33 years,” Vice Admiral Barrett said.

“The ship and her successive companies have served Australia with distinction, being awarded battle honours three times for successful maritime security operations.

“It is through the hard work and dedication of the crews who have called Darwin home that made this frigate so effective over such a long career.”

Since commissioning in 1984, the Adelaide-class frigate has steamed over a million nautical miles, visited more than 50 countries, and undertaken operations in the Middle East, East Timor, and the Solomon Islands.

HMAS Darwin and her sister ships Melbourne and Newcastle are being replaced by the Hobart-class guided missile destroyers, first of which entered service in September this year.