Defence Minister backs destroyer at launch

The federal government is determined to see through the Air Warfare Destroyer program despite delays and a cost blowout of about $2 billion to about $9bn, Defence Minister Kevin Andrews says.

At the launch of the first destroyer, to be named HMAS Hobart, in Adelaide yesterday, Mr Andrews said the Commonwealth remained committed to a viable naval shipbuilding industry in Australia and was prepared to invest heavily in the skills of local workers.

“We are going to see this project through but obviously we want it to be as efficient and productive as possible,” he said.

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