Construction begins on Royal Australian Navy’s Hunter-class frigates

Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide, South Australia, has cut the first steel to be used in the construction of the first Hunter-class frigate ordered by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The piece of steel cut will form part of the under structure support for the port side propeller shaft brake system of the future HMAS Hunter.

The Hunter-class frigates are based on the Type 26 Global Combat Ship, the first four of which are under construction at BAE Systems' site in Glasgow, UK. The RAN frigates are being built as advanced anti-submarine warfare (ASW) ships.

The RAN plans to acquire nine Hunter-class ships to replace the ageing Anzac-class frigates that were originally built in the 1990s. The new frigates are scheduled for delivery beginning in 2034.

Ben Hudson, Chief Executive Officer, BAE Systems Australia, said the Hunter-class will be among the most technologically advanced, stealth-capable ASW vessels in the world. The ships' modular mission bays will allow them to undertake a wide range of missions including humanitarian and disaster relief.