Construction of first Hunter-class frigate begins officially

Construction has begun officially on the first Hunter-class Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) frigate, marking another significant step in delivering the RAN’s enhanced lethality surface combatant fleet.  The piece of steel cut during the commencement ceremony forms part of the under-structure support for the port-side propeller shaft brake system.

Earlier this year, the Australian government announced its commitment to build six Hunter-class frigates in South Australia to significantly improve Navy’s undersea warfare and strike capability. The contract for the construction phase for the first three of an eventual six Hunter-class frigates has now been signed by Defence and BAE Systems Australia, with the first ship expected to be operational in 2034.

“Continuous naval shipbuilding is how Australia will grow its shipbuilding and sustainment workforce, industry, and infrastructure,” said Minister for Defence Richard Marles MP.

“This milestone exemplifies our government’s commitment to deliver continuous naval shipbuilding in South Australia and a future made in Australia, by Australians.”

Based on the Type 26 Global Combat Ship, the first four of which are under construction at BAE Systems’ site in Glasgow, UK, the Hunter class is one of the world’s most advanced ASW frigates and will provide the RAN with next-generation capability, the company says. The ship’s armament will also include the Tomahawk conventionally armed cruise missile.

The Hunter-class will be one of the most technologically advanced, stealth-capable anti-submarine warfare vessels in the world, the company adds, and its modular mission bay allows it to undertake a wide-range of missions from warfare to humanitarian and disaster relief.

“We already have a head-start on the construction of the first Hunter-class frigate, with six schedule protection blocks already in production approved under the design and productionisation phase as part of the risk mitigation strategy,” according to Mr Craig Lockhart, managing director of BAE Systems Australia – Maritime.

“This program has always been more than just building ships, we have created world-leading facilities, a vibrant supply chain ready to step up to full rate of production and a workforce that is proving it can produce the highest quality shipbuilding products that can compete anywhere.

Construction of the frigates will take place at the Osborne Naval Shipyard as part of the Australian Government’s commitment to continuous naval shipbuilding in South Australia. The construction phase of the Hunter Class Frigate Program will run for 20 years.

At its peak this program will support around 3,000 direct jobs and will support a further 5,000 indirect jobs across the Australian supply chain.

These jobs are in addition to the thousands of highly skilled workers that will be required to build the RAN’s SSN-AUKUS submarines and the Collins-class submarine Life of Type Extension (LOTE), both of which will also take place at Osborne in South Australia.

“The construction of the frigates locks in a pipeline of continuous naval shipbuilding in South Australia, delivering thousands of secure, well-paid jobs for generations to come,” said the Premier of South Australia, Mr Peter Malinauskas MP.

“This delivery of frigates alongside SSN-AUKUS submarines puts South Australia front and centre in the most crucial of national endeavors. It also represents a step change in our state’s economic complexity.”