The Hunter class frigate program, will deliver a fleet of six world-class anti-submarine warfare frigates to the boost the undersea warfare and strike capabilities of the Royal Australian Navy.
BAE Systems Maritime Australia has commenced construction on the first frigate at South Australia’s Osborne Naval Shipyard, following extensive prototyping work.
Local companies are progressively being engaged to support the manufacture of the first three Hunter class frigates, with the company already placing more than 80 contracts with Australian suppliers.
Through its Strategic Supplier Partnerships Program, BAE Systems is partnering with selected small and medium-sized businesses to deliver a range of requirements including blast and painting, insulation, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), deck coverings, non-destructive testing and habitation.
The Hunter class frigate build is part of a continuous shipbuilding program that will sustain more than 2,600 jobs at Osborne Naval Shipyard and thousands more across the wider Australian defence supply chain. Over 400 tradespeople will be hired in 2025 to achieve peak capability requirements at the shipyard.
In February 2024, the Australian Government released its response to the Surface Fleet Review, announcing its blueprint for a larger and more lethal fleet for the Royal Australian Navy.
The Hunter class frigate fleet will be at the heart of this capability, with the first frigate to be delivered in 2032 and become operational in 2034.
The new frigates will be among the world’s most advanced anti-submarine warfare frigates, designed for maximum versatility and flexibility in operational roles from humanitarian and disaster relief operations to high-intensity warfare.
