Third Anzac frigate arrives for AMCAP upgrade

BAE Systems Australia has received the Royal Australian Navy's third Anzac-class frigate at its Henderson facility as part of a fleet upgrade, the company announced on 10 September.

The Mid Life Capability Assurance Program (AMCAP) upgrade is being undertaken by the Warship Asset Management Agreement alliance to keep the ships in service until they are replaced by the Hunter-class frigates.

The AMCAP upgrade includes upgraded ventilation systems; new sewage systems; improvements to the diesel engines to improve power and efficiency; replacement of air search radar capability with the Australian CEA L-Band radar; and replacement of the full communications suite on the ship.

HMAS Anzac will join its join sister ships Perth and Arunta at Henderson.

HMAS Arunta, the first of class AMCAP ship, has recently undergone the old mast removal process to make way for the installation of a newly developed air search radar system. Arunta will undock before the end of 2018 and will then undertake sea trials ahead of a planned return to service in 2019.

The remaining seven ships will be back in service by 2023. 

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