Procurement Programme of The Royal Australian Navy - Surface Combatants

Surface Combatants

The RAN currently has two main classes of surface combatant:

• Adelaide class guided missile frigate
• Anzac class frigate

The Adelaide class first entered service in the early 1980s, with a total of six units eventually being constructed. The first four were constructed in the United States as part of the US Navy's run of Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates in the late 1970s and early 1980s; the remaining two were built in the late 1980s in Australia. However, the later two units were constructed with largely the same technology as the previous four. As a consequence, in the mid 1990s it became necessary to think about upgrading the class as a whole. The "FFG Upgrade Project" (FFGUP) was initiated in 1994 with a view to installing improved armaments and equipment, with the most obvious addition being an 8-cell Mk 41 VLS, similar to those fitted to the Anzac class. This will enable the ships to fire the Evolved Sea Sparrow, in addition to their existing Harpoon and Standard 2 missile capability provided by the Mark 13 missile launcher system. The culmination of this project will see four ships upgraded; the two oldest units (HMAS Adelaide and HMAS Canberra) were decommissioned. The Australian newspaper has stated that the last two ships, Newcastle and Melbourne, may be kept in service past the end of their expected decommissionings in 2019 and 2021.

The Anzac class is the latest major fleet type to enter service. The first unit was commissioned in 1996 and the last entered service in 2006. These vessels are more optimized for general warfare – as part of the continuing upgrading of these vessels, their anti-surface and undersea protection will be enhanced through the addition of the Harpoon, and a towed mine and obstacle avoidance sonar. In the mid 2020's, the Anzacs will be replaced by a class of eight Future Frigates displacing 7,000 tons. These ships will be equipped with cruise missiles and anti ballistic missiles like the SM3, but will be primarily focused towards ASW. The ships will have the ability as well to carry helicopters, UAVs and have long range sonar as well as a towed sonar array all according to the 2009 Defence White Paper.

The most significant current project is the Hobart class air warfare destroyer. This will eventually see at least three new air defence destroyers enter service to replace the Adelaide class. According to the 2009 Defence White Paper, a fourth ship may be ordered, but is currently unexercised option. The Hobarts will be fitted with the Aegis combat system, and will be based on the F100 design by Spanish company Navantia. The ships will be fitted with cruise missiles and the SM-6 anti-aircraft missile. The first vessel is due for delivery in 2014, with the following vessels to be delivered in 2016 and 2017. Construction will be by the Australian Submarine Corporation (or ASC), although will involve a significant amount of work sub-contracted to other companies and locations. The three units are to be named Hobart, Brisbane and Sydney.