Hunter Class Frigate
Type: Frigate
Domain: sea
Country of Origin: Australia
Manufacturer: BAE Systems Australia
Overview
British-designed anti-submarine frigate being built in Australia as Royal Australian Navy future major surface combatant. Programme procuring 9 Hunter-class frigates based on BAE Type 26 Global Combat Ship with Australian modifications. Features advanced sonar suite, 32 vertical launch cells, 5-inch gun, torpedo tubes, helicopter facilities, Aegis combat system. Optimized for anti-submarine warfare but capable across full spectrum. First ship laid down 2022 with deliveries extending through 2040s. Domestic construction at Osborne Naval Shipyard provides jobs but increases costs and extends timeline. Replaces ANZAC-class frigates providing step-change in capability. Critical for Australian maritime security, anti-submarine warfare against increasingly capable Chinese submarine fleet, operating alongside US Navy. Significant programme challenges including costs exceeding 40 billion AUD and schedule delays.
Technical Specifications
| radar | CEAFAR2 Australian AESA radar |
|---|---|
| speed | 27+ knots |
| planned | 9 ships |
| armament | 32-cell Mk 41 VLS (ESSM, SM-2), NSM anti-ship missiles, 127mm gun, torpedoes |
| displacement | ~10,000 tonnes |
| manufacturer | BAE Systems Australia (based on UK Type 26) |
Operators
- Australia
Related sea Weapon Systems
- Pohjanmaa Class Corvette (Squadron 2020) - Corvette (Finland)
- Type 212CD Submarine (Germany-Norway) - Submarine (Norway)
- Asahi Class Destroyer (DD) - Destroyer (Japan)
- HTMS Chakri Naruebet - Aircraft Carrier (Spain)
- RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) - Long-Range Air Defense System (United States)
- TCG Işın - Support Ship (Türkiye)
- Haeseong (C-Star / SSM-700K) - Anti-Ship Missile (South Korea)
- Nongo-class Hovercraft - Amphibious Fighting Vehicle (North Korea)
- Neptune R-360 Anti-Ship Missile - Anti-Ship Missile (Ukraine)
- Riachuelo Class Submarine (Scorpène) - Submarine (France)