An artist’s impression of the Hunter-class frigate, modelled on BAE Systems’ Type 26 Global Combat Ship. Credit: Royal Australian Navy via Naval Technology.

Steel was cut at Osbourne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide marking the start of the construction phase for the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) future Hunter-class multi-mission frigates.

The piece of steel cut forms part of the under structure support for the port side propeller shaft brake system.

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Based on the Type 26 ‘Global Combat Ship’, the new fleet of six warships will replace RAN’s existing Anzac-class frigates that entered service in 1996.

The service will primarily use them for anti-submarine warfare, along with air defence, anti-surface warfare, surveillance and intelligence, interdiction, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

They will integrate an open systems architecture to offer through-life support and provision for future upgrades. More than 900 indigenous suppliers have registered to supply into the Hunter programme.

When it comes to firepower RAN will enhance the fleet with the next-generation Aegis combat system – it is similarly integrated on the destroyers that Japan are pursuing.

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It enables the guided-missile frigates to track and detect aircraft, submarines, and ships within its vicinity. Aegis will enhance the situational awareness of the onboard command team and enable them to take quick decisions to destroy the enemy targets.

The commonwealth government originally contracted BAE Systems Maritime Australia to build the ships in December 2018, whereupon the fleet was reduced from nine to six vessels under the Navy’s $7.5bn restructure in February 2024.

Premier of South Australia Peter Malinauskas (left) and Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles (right) cut steel on the first ship at a ceremony in Adelaide. Credit: BAE Systems.

“Hunter will be one of the most technologically advanced, stealth-capable anti-submarine warfare vessels in the world,” asserted Ben Hudson, CEO of BAE Systems Australia, “and its modular mission bay allows it to undertake a wide-range of missions.”