First steel cut on Australia’s new Hunter-class frigates

Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Premier of South Australia Peter Malinauskas officially cut steel on Australia’s first Hunter-class ship at a ceremony at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide, South Australia today.

FILE IMAGE: BAE Systems’ Type 26 Global Combat Ship

The event was attended by representatives from the Royal Australian Navy, Federal and State governments and BAE Systems Australia, industry partners, suppliers and employees.

The piece of steel cut today will form part of the under-structure support for the port-side propeller-shaft brake system.

Based on the Type 26 Global Combat Ship, the first four of which are under construction at BAE Systems’ site in Glasgow, UK, Hunter is one of the world’s most advanced anti-submarine-warfare frigates and will provide the Royal Australian Navy with next-generation capability.

Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond said it was a great day for navy.

“Any day we cut steel on the first of class of a warship for the Royal Australian Navy is indeed a great navy day,” Vice Admiral Hammond said.

“But these are so much more than the steel castles that they turn out to be.

“This will be another floating embassy operated by the Australian Defence Force which will represent every Australian across the region and around the world for many years to come.

“It will be capable of the full range of naval missions, from deterrence diplomacy right through the defence of Australia if need be.

“She will represent the safe haven for mariners under distress on the high seas – she will represent Australia throughout the region, and she will represent home for the sailors and officers of the future.

“To our partners from BAE – congratulations on an outstanding design.

“Thank you for your partnership as we work through the challenges with production optimisation and design.

“I have every confidence that this will be one of the most capable anti-submarine warfare frigates in the world.

“It derives its DNA from the Type 23 frigate, one of the most successful Cold War anti-submarine frigates in history.

“And that lineage extending through the Type 26 to the Hunter is something that I’m confident will serve Australia very, very well.”

CEO BAE Systems Australia Ben Hudson said this event was a proud moment for all at BAE Systems Australia as it came at a time when the capability of Hunter has never been more important.

“Hunter will be one of the most technologically advanced, stealth-capable anti-submarine warfare vessels in the world and its modular mission bay allows it to undertake a wide-range of missions from warfare to humanitarian and disaster relief,” Mr Hudson said.

“Over the coming years, we will build and deliver the first three Hunter-class frigates to the Royal Australian Navy.”

Managing Director BAE Systems Australia – Maritime Craig Lockhart said the company already had a head-start on the construction of the first Hunter-class frigate, with six schedule protection blocks already in production approved under the design and productionisation [sic] phase as part of the risk mitigation strategy.

“This program has always been more than just building ships – we have created world-leading facilities, a vibrant supply chain ready to step up to full rate of production and a workforce that is proving it can produce the highest-quality shipbuilding products that can compete anywhere,” Lockhart said.

“This moment has been a long time in the making and it has been a tremendous journey so far, but we have demonstrated that together with our partners, suppliers and the great team both here at Osborne and in the UK, we are up to the task and raring to go.”

 

 

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