HMAS Tobruk (L50)

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For other ships of this name, see HMAS Tobruk.

HMAS Tobruk beaching during an exercise in 2006
Career Australia RAN Ensign
Laid down: 7 February 1978
Launched: 1 March 1980
Commissioned: 23 April 1981
Status: Active
Homeport: Fleet Base East
General Characteristics
Displacement: 5,800 tons
Length: 126 m
Beam: 10 m
Draught: 4.9 m
Propulsion: 2 x Mirrlees Blackstone KDMR8 diesel engines providing 9,600 hp (7.2 mW)
Speed: 16 knots
Range: 8,000 miles at 15 knots
Complement: 145
Armament: 2 x 12.7mm MG, 2 x Bofors 40/60 bow mounted guns
Aircraft carried: 2 Helo spots on main cargo deck: 1 helo spot on rear flight deck
Motto: "Faithful and Strong"
Badge: Image:HMAS tobruk crest.gif

HMAS Tobruk (L-50) is a Landing Ship Heavy (LSH) of the Royal Australian Navy, based on the design of the "Sir" class of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Tobruk was the first purpose built amphibious vessel in the RAN, and is designed as a multi-purpose, ro-ro heavy lift and transport vessel - the ship can be loaded via ramps at both the bow and stern, and can be purposely beached. Tobruk can carry up to eighteen Leopard 1 MBTs and 40 APCs. A pair of LCM-8 landing craft can be carried in specially designed cradles on the ship's vehicle deck, while a pair of LCVPs are mounted either side of the superstructure. The ship also has two landing platforms, one behind the superstructure and one in the well deck, which are rated for helicopters up to and including the size of the Chinook. Tobruk has a standard capacity of 300 troops, with an overload capacity of 520.

Tobruk has been actively deployed to a number of combat zones, including Somalia in 1991.

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[edit] External link

Royal Australian Navy website