The Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Hunter-class frigate programme has officially entered the prototyping phase, marking a key milestone for National Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise. The prototyping phase was officially launched with Australian steel cutting ceremony. BAE Systems Australia noted that five representative ship blocks will be manufactured and assembled during the phase.
In 2018, the Australian Government awarded a contract worth A$35bn ($24.37bn) to BAE Systems to construct nine Hunter-class frigates for RAN under the SEA 5000 programme.
The new class of anti-submarine warfare vessels will replace the existing Anzac-class frigates. It is based on BAE Systems’ Type 26 ‘Global Combat Ship’ design.
BAE Systems Australia CEO Gabby Costigan said: “To start prototyping just two years after the contract to deliver the Hunter programme was signed in 2018, is an incredible achievement....MORE
