HMS Sutherland Calls At Australia's Most Iconic Port

Royal Navy frigate HMS Sutherland has sailed into the iconic Sydney harbour, marking the beginning of a week-long visit to Australia’s biggest city.

The stop was her fourth at the continent since she left her home base of Devonport in January.

The Plymouth-based warship exchanged a ceremonial gun salute with the Royal Australian Navy in the shadow of the famous Sydney opera house.

Commanding Officer, Commander Andrew Canale said:

"Thank you, Sydney, for a great welcome, we're looking forward to a packed programme over the next few days."

He also praised his Royal Australian Navy hosts who had "gone out of their way" to assist the Brits, 11,000 miles from their home port.

The visit is focused on promoting British industry and the export opportunities presented by the Royal Navy's next generation of frigates.

The Royal Australian Navy is about to invest massively in its frigate force, and Britain is pushing its new type 26 and 31 frigates.

As part of its Australia deployment, the frigate also joined in the Australian Fleet's largest exercise of the year, Ocean Explorer, linking with the tanker Sirius, frigate Parramatta and the Australian flagship, helicopter/amphibious assault ship HMAS Canberra in the waters between the mainland and Tasmania.

From Australia, Sutherland's seven-month Asia Pacific deployment moves on to Japan and then the South China Sea.