Hunter-class programme begins prototyping phase
Five representative ship blocks to be manufactured and assembled.
Prototyping work has begun on the Hunter-class frigate programme for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), shipbuilder BAE Systems Australia announced on 18 December.
During this phase, five representative ship blocks will be manufactured and assembled. Systems, processes, facilities and workforce competencies will be established and tested, providing a solid operational foundation before construction starts on the first frigate in 2022. BAE Systems Australia CEO Gabby Costigan said: ‘The pace of the programme has been swift. We have moved into a modern, digitally advanced shipyard, progressed the design of the ship and significantly expanded our workforce.’
The Hunter-class ASW frigate is based on the Type 26 Global Combat Ship design adopted by the UK Royal Navy and Royal Canadian Navy.
In all, under the Sea 5000 programme the RAN is acquiring nine frigates to replace its fleet of eight Anzac-class ships.
Shephard Defence Insight estimates the unit cost of each frigate at A$2.9 billion ($2.17 billion).
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Sea 5000 Future Frigate (Hunter Class) [Australia]
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Canada boosts Arctic presence as CCGS Donjek prepares for sea trials this year]()
Canada boosts Arctic presence as CCGS Donjek prepares for sea trials this year
CCGS Donjek is currently being prepared to start testing and be handed over to the Canadian Coast Guard in the second half of 2026.
-
![HHI poised to start submarine production in Peru pending election outcome]()
HHI poised to start submarine production in Peru pending election outcome
South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries confirmed to Shephard that the company is awaiting the Peruvian government’s decision to allow it to move forward with the production of the HDS-1500 submarine.
-
![How the Hormuz mine threat exposes potential Baltic MCM shortfalls]()
How the Hormuz mine threat exposes potential Baltic MCM shortfalls
Ageing Baltic vessels and an absence of active minehunting vessel programmes in the region have been put under the spotlight in the recent conflict.
-
![“We must end the mentality of ever larger platforms”: Why USVs are scaling]()
“We must end the mentality of ever larger platforms”: Why USVs are scaling
Multiple USV programme milestones announced last week, aligned with a reinforcement of the Royal Navy’s vision for a hybrid fleet, point to innovation-led ambition but also to a structural calculation with resource ceilings that neither London nor Washington can ignore.
