Cyclone Debbie: Engine troubles stop navy ships joining relief effort

Technical problems have left the Royal Australian Navy's newest and largest ships unable to join the Cyclone Debbie emergency response.

The 27,500 tonne Landing Helicopter Docks (LHDs), HMAS Canberra and HMAS Adelaide, are equipped with up to six helicopters, extensive medical facilities and are designed to supply disaster relief as well as combat capacities.

But engine problems aboard the two ships, which cost a total of $3 billion, have taken them temporarily out of service as engineers work to fix their hi-tech propulsion systems, reports the ABC.

A spokesman for the RAN said a propulsion problem on HMAS Canberra had been identified during recent sea trials and as a precaution inspections were conducted aboard HMAS Adelaide.

The LHDs are docked at Sydney's Garden Island Naval base, with the Department of Defence expecting the engineering problems to be resolved in seven to 10 days.

The Defence Department insists the inspections have "had no impact on Navy meeting its operational tasks".

Meanwhile, HMAS Choules, a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, left Sydney yesterday for Queensland in case help is required in the wake of the cyclone.

The Chief of Defence, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin, said the military was well prepared to provide assistance to local communities within Cyclone Debbie's storm zone, if requested.