The biggest international naval review since the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN) 1988 bicentenary celebrations will be launched on Friday, July 27.

The Chief of Navy, VADM David Shackleton, will launch the Centenary of Federation Naval Review (October 2-8) at Sydney's Fleet Base East.

Highlight of the October program will be an international naval review into Sydney Harbour on Saturday the 6th. The entry will be followed that evening by a fireworks' spectacular titled The Battle of Sydney Harbour.

An estimated million people are expected to turn out for the two events - part of the RAN's contribution to the Centenary of Federation celebrations, which started in January, and run for the remainder of the year.

"Some of the international navies who have already agreed to send warships include the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, China, France, India, Singapore, South Africa and Thailand," said the review project director, CDRE Brian Robertson.

"We are expecting about 45 warships, including RAN units and those from the visiting navies. Some countries are sending observers.

"The anticipation of the fleet entry is building already and the large crowds which are expected to line Sydney Harbour foreshores are in for a real international naval treat," CDRE Robertson said.

The launch public affairs director, Mr Ross Gillett, said July 27's program would provide a sample of what was coming in October.

"The launch gets underway at Fleet Base One at 11.30am on board HMAS Manoora. At 11.45am there will be a flypast by three Navy helicopters and they will be carrying the Australian National Flag, the Australian White Ensign and a new 'image' flag."

He said the flypast would be followed at noon by a ceremonial sail-past, led by HMAS Sydney.

"The ships, including Sydney, a patrol boat, two Huon class minehunters and two auxiliary minesweepers, will rendezvous off Sydney Heads for a number of exercises. They will then undertake a moving line review past the stern of HMAS Manoora berthed at Fleet Base One.

"The official launch will give the public and the media a taste of what is being planned for Saturday, October 6. The review on October 6 will be the biggest since the bicentenary salute in 1988," Mr Gillett said.

Special guests invited to the launch include eight RAN veterans (ranging from World War I to the Gulf War) and Centenary of Federation representatives.

By LCDR Kevin Pike