Lowy Institute all at sea

Yesterday, six Lowy Institute research staff spent the day aboard the guided missile frigate, HMAS Sydney, at the invitation of Captain Peter Leavy. Our thanks to Captain Leavy and the incredibly hospitable crew of Sydney for a memorable day. We witnessed gunnery practice, at-sea refuelling, fighter jet fly-bys and got a detailed tour of the ship.

My photography skills being what they are, only two shots are worth sharing with you (more from colleagues later, I hope). The first is of the crew casting off from HMAS Kuttabul in Sydney, and shows the new vertical launch missile system installed on these recently upgraded frigates. Under the hinged lids of that innocuous-looking box in the foreground are eight anti-aircraft missiles: 

The second shot shows another Perry-class frigate, HMAS Melbourne, practicing refuelling with HMAS Sirius.