Navy missile destroyer unveiled in Sydney

Captain Wilson, the commanding officer of the brand new Hobart class destroyer HMAS Brisbane, said the latest piece in a $9 billion box-set was exhilarating to drive.

"Everyone wants the latest toy on the block and we've definitely got that," Cpt Wilson told reporters from the deck of the Brisbane, which possesses a cannon that could fire from Woolloomooloo Wharf to Cronulla.

"For a country boy from Victoria to suddenly find out that they're going to be commissioning and building a crew for a ship with this incredible capability, and what it means to the Navy...was humbling."

The Brisbane, which boasts a US weapons system and a top speed of more than 50km/h, was assembled in South Australia and unveiled on Sydney Harbour on Saturday, more than a decade after its fleet was commissioned.

It's the second of three Hobart Class guided missile destroyers to be built for the Australian Navy, with its sister the HMAS Hobart currently undergoing weapons testing in US waters.

The third ship, the HMAS Sydney, is still being built, according to Rear Admiral Jonathon Mead, the commander of the Australian Fleet.

"We are seeing a major revitalisation and recapitalisation of the Navy," Admiral Mead said.

He said Australia was in the midst of a naval boom, with a new ship expected to be commissioned every year for the next 20 to 30 years.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Defence Minister Christopher Pyne toured the ship after addressing the families of the crew.

"While Australia will always seek to befriend and not antagonise, we must do so from a position of strength, preparedness and capability," Mr Morrison told the crowd.

"The minister for defence and I like building ships, we like it."

The Brisbane and her almost 200 crew will soon leave Sydney Harbour, bound for Jervis Bay on the NSW South Coast, where the ship will be put through its paces.

"If you told me to, I'd take her off the wharf today," Cpt Wilson said.

Australian Associated Press