HMAS Hunter
Hunter-class frigate
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
HMAS Hunter (FFG) is the lead ship of the future Hunter-class of heavy guided-missile frigates of the Royal Australian Navy. It is under construction, and is expected to enter service in 2034.
Type 26 frigate | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Australia | |
| Name | Hunter |
| Namesake | John Hunter |
| Ordered | 21 June 2024 |
| Builder | BAE Systems Australia, Osborne |
| Cost | AU$3.9 billion |
| Commissioned | 2031 (projected)[1] |
| In service | 2034 (projected)[2] |
| Identification | Pennant number: |
| Status | Under construction |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Hunter-class frigate |
| Displacement | 8,800 t (8,700 long tons; 9,700 short tons) full load displacement |
| Length | 151.4 m (497 ft) |
| Beam | 21.4 m (70 ft) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 27+ knots |
| Range | 7,000 nautical miles (13,000 km; 8,100 mi) in electric motor drive[3] |
| Complement | 180 personnel, with accommodation for 208 |
| Sensors & processing systems |
|
| Electronic warfare & decoys | Nulka decoy launchers |
| Armament |
|
| Aircraft carried |
|
| Aviation facilities | |
| Notes | |
Development and design
The Hunter-class frigate is a future class of frigates for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), partly to replace the Anzac-class and as a supplement to Hobart-class destroyers. Construction was expected to begin in 2020, with the first of nine vessels to enter service in the late 2020s.[7] The Program is expected to cost AU$35 billion and a request for tender was released in March 2017 to three contenders: Navantia, Fincantieri, and BAE Systems as part of a competitive evaluation process.[8]
The Hunter-class frigate will be an Australian variation of the Type 26 class frigate that is to be operated by the Royal Navy from the mid-2020s. The class will have a 8,800-tonne (8,700-long-ton; 9,700-short-ton) full load displacement and will be approximately 150 metres (490 ft) in length. The vessel will be capable of sailing in excess of 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph) and will have a full complement of 180 crew.[9][3]
Construction and career
Hunter was ordered on 30 June 2018 and named after Vice Admiral John Hunter. She will be built by BAE Systems Australia in Osborne.[10] First steel was cut on prototype blocks in December 2021.[11] The first steel that will actually be used in Hunter was cut in June 2024.[12] The ship had been expected to be commissioned in 2031[13] but is only projected to be operational in 2034.[14]