The Royal Australian Navy will welcome over twenty international warships to a variety of Australian ports in the lead up to October’s International Fleet Review in Sydney.
The warships will each make operational visits to other Australian ports for customs clearance and logistics resupply prior to arriving in Sydney to participate in the review.
While the ships will not be open to the public during their logistics visits, there are opportunities to visit them in Sydney during two IFR Warship Open Days to be held on Sunday 6 and Monday 7 October 2013.
A selection of Australian and international warships will be open at Barangaroo and Garden Island for members of the public to share in the Naval celebrations.
The international warships will join ships of the Royal Australian Navy and 16 local and international tall ships to celebrate 100 years since the RAN’s fleet arrival into Sydney Harbour on 4 October 1913.
A spectacular program of naval events is planned, including a ceremonial fleet entry and review of all the warships in Sydney Harbour, a fireworks and lightshow to wow the public of Sydney, military band concerts, and a street march of over 4,000 sailors. The largest maritime tradeshow, Pacific 2013, and the RAN Sea Power Conference will also coincide with the IFR period in Sydney.
[mappress] Press Release, September 11, 2013; Image: Australian Gov