This audit would assess whether the Department of Defence has effective and efficient sustainment arrangements for the Royal Australian Navy’s fleet of Hobart Class Guided Missile Destroyers (DDG) (also referred to as ‘Air Warfare Destroyers’ (AWD)).

The Royal Australian Navy operates three Hobart Class AWDs. These ships were commissioned between 2018 and 2020. The Hobart Class provides air defence for accompanying vessels and land assets, in addition to undersea warfare capabilities and naval gunfire support. The acquisition cost of these warships was publicly reported to be over $9 billion.