Commissioned on 27 October 2018, HMAS Brisbane (III) is the second of the Hobart-class guided missile destroyers, built in Australia and equipped with the advanced Aegis Combat System. Designed for air defence, she protects accompanying ships, land forces, and infrastructure, and is armed with SM-2 surface-to-air missiles, long-range anti-ship missiles, a 5-inch naval gun, MU90 torpedoes, and the Nulka missile decoy system. Brisbane also operates an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, enhancing her surveillance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. In December 2024, she became the first Royal Australian Navy ship to successfully launch a Tomahawk cruise missile, marking a major milestone in Australia’s maritime strike capability.Â
Brisbane is proudly nicknamed ‘The Steel Cat,’ a tradition inherited from her predecessors and inspired by the ship’s crest, which features a black panther or leopard symbolising valour and high mettle. The ‘steel’ reflects the ship’s robust construction and the resilience of her crew, while the ‘cat’ refers to the feline on her badge. This nickname is a source of pride and identity, connecting today’s sailors to the distinguished legacy of previous ships named Brisbane.
