HMAS Darwin’s ceremonial guard march from the ship during the decommissioning ceremony at Fleet Base East in Sydney. Credit: Royal Australian Navy.

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has decommissioned the Adelaide-class guided-missile frigate HMAS Darwin at its homeport in Garden Island, Sydney.

The long-range escort vessel has completed a total of 33 years of service with the Australian Navy.

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RAN Navy chief vice-admiral Tim Barrett said: “Darwin has laid down a proud history over her 33 years.

“The ship and her successive companies have served Australia with distinction, being awarded battle honours three times for successful maritime security operations.”

"The ship and her successive companies have served Australia with distinction, being awarded battle honours three times for successful maritime security operations."

HMAS Darwin travelled more than a million nautical miles during its entire operational service, visiting over 50 nations worldwide and carrying out a wide range of operations in the Middle East, East Timor and the Solomon Islands.

The Australian Navy frigate was originally commissioned into service in 1984.

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HMAS Darwin has undertaken a wide range of roles, including area air defence, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction.

In addition, the vessel has also been capable of countering simultaneous threats from the air, surface and sub-surface.

The RAN ship is equipped with a flight deck and hangars to accommodate two Seahawk helicopters, while its sensor package features long-range radars for air and surface surveillance, electronic warfare surveillance sensors and the Australian Nulka anti-ship missile defence system.

Furthermore, HMAS Darwin is integrated with an electro-optical tracking system (EOTS) featuring combined optical and infra-red sensors for detection and tracking.

The vessel will be replaced by the RAN’s Hobart-class guided missile destroyers following its decommissioning, which are expected to provide the country with enhanced warfighting capabilities.