the British landing ship dock (which entered RAN service at the end of 2011 as HMAS Choules) prompted the Australian government to announce plans on 18 August 2011 to decommission Kanimbla. The decommissioning occurred on 25 November 2011. The ship's capability was initially replaced by Choules, until the amphibious warfare ships entered service. In June 2012, the federal government offered Kanimbla and Manoora to the Queensland state government for scuttling as dive wrecks off the Queensland coast. However, the government chose not to go ahead with this, as it would cost $4 million each to prepare them for scuttling, and could provoke similar reactions to the contested sinking of the frigate . Instead, Kanimbla was to be broken up, with an estimated scrap metal value of $2.5 million. Because the two vessels were originally owned by the United States and were sold to Australia, their disposal had to receive US government approval and comply with International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Tendering for the disposal of the vessels began in June 2012, with the contract awarded to Southern Recycling on 20 May 2013. The two vessels were returned to the United States, and broken up in New Orleans. Citations References Books Journal and news articles Websites and media releases External links ADF website for Operation Sumatra Assist Kanimbla-class landing platforms amphibious 1970 ships Recipients of the Meritorious Unit Citation