BAE Systems 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
- UK
- Canada
Related sea Weapon Systems
- JL-3 SLBM - Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile (China)
- IAI Gabriel V - missile (Israel)
- Type 071 Yuzhao - amphibious (China)
- Akya - Heavy Torpedo (Turkey)
- Type 075 LHD - amphibious (China)
- Type 076 LHA - amphibious (China)
- Orka Class Submarine - submarine (Netherlands)
- Type 054A - frigate (China)
- Type 056A Jiangdao - corvette (China)
- AN/SPY-1 - Naval Multi-Function Radar (United States)