HMAS Hunter (FFG) is the lead ship of the Hunter-class heavy guided-missile frigates currently under construction for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The vessel is named after Vice Admiral John Hunter (1737–1821), an early colonial governor of New South Wales and a Royal Navy officer. It is being built by BAE Systems Australia at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia and is projected to enter service in 2034.
Development and Design
The Hunter-class frigate program (SEA 5000) was initiated to replace the RAN's Anzac-class frigates and supplement the Hobart-class destroyers. The design is an Australian variant of the British Type 26 Global Combat Ship developed by BAE Systems. The class is optimised for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and incorporates the Aegis combat system integrated with a Saab 9LV tactical interface.
HMAS Hunter has a full-load displacement of approximately 8,800 tonnes, a length of 151.4 metres, and a beam of 21.4 metres. The propulsion system uses a CODLOG (Combined Diesel-Electric or Gas Turbine) configuration, with a single Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine and electric motors, enabling speeds in excess of 27 knots and a range of 7,000 nautical miles in electric drive.
Armament and Sensors
The vessel is equipped with:
- Sensors: CEA Technologies CEAFAR2 phased-array radar (S-band and L-band), CEAMOUNT fire-control illuminators, Ultra S2150 hull-mounted sonar, and Thales Sonar 2087 towed-array variable-depth sonar.
- Armament: 32-cell Mark 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) for RIM-66 Standard 2, RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM), and BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles; two quad-canister launchers for advanced anti-ship missiles; one 5-inch (127 mm) Mark 45 Mod 4 dual-purpose gun; two 30 mm short-range gun systems; two 20 mm Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS); and MU90 Impact torpedoes.
- Aviation: One MH-60R Seahawk helicopter (with facilities for a second), a Chinook-capable flight deck, and an enclosed hangar. The ship also supports UAVs and UUVs.
- Electronic warfare: Nulka decoy launchers.
Construction and Career
The contract for the Hunter-class was awarded to BAE Systems in June 2018. First steel for prototype blocks was cut in December 2021, and the first steel intended for the actual vessel was cut in June 2024. The ship was ordered on 21 June 2024 at a reported cost of AU$3.9 billion. Originally expected to be commissioned in 2031, the projected operational date has since been revised to 2034.
The Hunter-class program is expected to cost approximately AU$35 billion for six vessels (reduced from an initial plan of nine). The first three ships of the class are named HMAS Hunter, HMAS Flinders (II), and HMAS Tasman.
