Anzac-class frigate

HMNZS Te-Mana in 2008
Class overview
Builders	Tenix Defence Systems
Operators	Royal Australian Navy Royal New Zealand Navy
Preceded by	River class
Built	5 November 1993–20 March 2004
In service	18 May 1996–Present
In commission	18 May 1996–Present
Planned	10
Completed	10
Active	10
Lost	0
Retired	0
General characteristics
Type	Frigate
Displacement	3,600 tons
Length	118 metres (387 ft)
Beam	14.8 metres (49 ft)
Draught	4 metres (13 ft)
Propulsion	1 × General Electric LM2500+ gas turbine and 2 × MTU 12V1163 TB83 diesel engines, driving two shafts with controllable pitch propellers in CODOG configuration.
Speed	27 knots (50 km/h)
Range	6,000 nautical miles (11,000 km) at 18 knots (33 km/h)
Complement	approximately 170
Sensors and processing systems	Sonars: Thomson Sintra Spherion B Mod 5; hull-mounted; active search and attack; medium frequency. Provision for towed array Air search radar: Raytheon AN/SPS-49(V)8 ANZ (C/D-band) Surface search radar: CelsiusTech 9LV 453 TIR (Ericsson Tx/Rx) (G-band) Navigation: Atlas Elektronik 9600 ARPA (I-band) Inertial Navigation: Dual Sperry Marine MK49 Ring Laser Gyro Ship's Inertial Navigation Systems and ship's Data Distribution System (DDS)
Electronic warfare & decoys	ESM: Racal modified Sceptre A (radar intercept), Telefunken PST-1720 Telegon 10 (comms intercept) Countermeasures: Decoys: G & D Aircraft SRBOC Mk 36 Mod 1 decoy launchers for SRBOC
Armament	Guns and missiles: 1 × 5 in/54 (127 mm) Mk 45 Mod 2 gun, various machine guns and small arms, Mk 41 Mod 5 VLS for Sea Sparrow and Evolved Sea Sparrow, 2x4 Harpoon SSM (being fitted) Torpedoes: 2 × triple 324 mm Mk 32 Mod 5 tubes Fire control: CelsiusTech 9LV 453 (J-band) Combat data systems: CelsiusTech 9LV 453 Mk 3.Link 11 Weapons control: CelsiusTech 9LV 453 optronic director with Raytheon CW Mk 73 Mod 1
Aircraft carried	1 SH-2G Super Seasprite or S-70B-2 Seahawk

The ten Anzac class frigates (also referred to as ANZAC class frigates) are the major surface units of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN). They were based on a modified German MEKO type 200 design. Eight ships serve in the RAN and are numbered FFH 150 - FFH 157. The two RNZN ships are F77 and F111.

Design and construction

The Anzac class originated from the RAN's New Surface Combatant (NSC) project, which began in the mid 1980s. By 1985, various design briefs ranging from 1,200 to 5,000 tonnes displacement were under consideration, with the RAN emphasising anti-ship missile defence, damage control, and ship survivability based on Royal Navy experiences during the Falklands War. Eventually, the project settled on a ship of approximately 3,600 tonnes dispacement. By this time, it was also believed that Australia did not have the capability to design a major warship from scratch, so the decision was made to select a proven foreign design and fit it with an Australian-developed combat system.

In early 1986, a review of policy regarding surface combatants saw the NSC classified into the middle of three tiers: a patrol frigate designed to operate in Australia's Economic Exclusion Zone. Proposals were requested by the project at the end of 1986, and 19 submissions were made, twelve of which included ship designs. At the same time, New Zealand was seeking four ships of similar capabilities for the RNZN, and had previously expressed interest in establishing a common, general-purpose ship class with Australia. In March 1987, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the two nations and RNZN representatives were invited to collaboate on the project. To recognise this, the project was renamed the Anzac Ship Project, taking the name from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps of World War I.

By August 1987, a cost ceiling of A$3.5 billion (1986 terms) was established, and the submitted proposals had been narrowed down to a modified version of the German MEKO 200 multipurpose frigate, the Netherlands' M class (later Karel Doorman class) frigate, and a scaled-down version of the British Type 23 frigate. The Type 23 proposal was eliminated in November 1987, with the other two going into a development phase. Although both the MEKO 200 and M class designs met the design requirements, the MEKO 200 design was selected, as more ships could be purchased for the budget cost.

On 14 August 1989, it was announced that AMECON and their modified MEKO 200 had been awarded the tender for the Anzac class. The frigates were to be constructed at the AMECON shipyard in Williamstown, Victoria, but the modular design of the frigate allowed sections of the ships to be constructed throughout Australia and New Zealand, with final assembly in Williamstown.

Australian improvements

Originally introduced into service with a minimum standard of offensive and defensive systems, upgrades to the Australian Anzacs were planned even before all ships were completed. In 2004 Tenix, Saab, and the Australian Defence Department formed a Private Public Partnership to upgrade the anti-ship missile defence capability of the Anzac class. This upgrade will include Sagem Vampir NG IRST (Infra-red search and track) capability, Saab Combat Management System upgrade, and CEA Technologies PAR 3D E/F band, fixed active phased array radar and illuminator. A new main mast will be constructed to incorporate the CEA-FAR and CEA-MOUNT systems, and maintain the existing 2D radar and electronic surveillance capabilities.

The upgraded configuration also includes: RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles fitted in two quad launchers, Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles quad-packed in VLS enabling 32 missiles to be carried, four Nulka active missile decoy bays and the Petrel Mine and Obstacle Avoidance Sonar system. A CEA SSCWI was also fitted for control of the ESSM missile in upgraded RAN units. For a number of reasons related to operational considerations and the electronic environment, the Harpoon installation was relocated from its reserved space and weight position on 02 Deck to a position on 01 Deck forward of the bridge. All upgrades and new builds are scheduled for completion by 2006.

An upward creep in ship manning led the RAN to undertake a habitability upgrade study. Additionally, restructuring the Marine Engineering Department has resulted in a change in the rank / billet structure, creating a need to re-work some habitation areas. Habitability upgrades are intended to provide added flexibility for additional training bunks, force protection personnel, special operations personnel and mixed genders onboard the ships, by increasing the ships berthing by 11 from 174 to 185 berths. The additional berths have a ranking mix of two officers, two Chief Petty officers, two Petty officers, and five sailors. Arunta has completed her upgrade and remaining units will follow.

New Zealand improvements

A Phalanx CIWS was fitted to the two RNZN units. An ESSM is to be fitted from 2008.

New Zealand controversy

In the 1980s, the Anzac frigate project became a focus for the wider anti-ANZUS, non-alignment protest movement. New Zealand originally planned to purchase four ships, but domestic political pressure on the government of David Lange eventually forced the government to settle for two ships, plus a contract option for a further two ships at a later date.

The Fourth National Government of New Zealand did not exercise the contract option to purchase any additional ships, despite defence minister Max Bradford's recommendation to purchase a third ship in 1998. The decision was a result of Winston Peters unexpectedly voting against the decision to buy the extra ship in Cabinet as he feared it would cost his party, New Zealand First, popular support. To upgrade the Navy's fleet capabilities the Project Protector programme was instigated, with the construction of two offshore patrol vessels freeing Te Kaha and Te Mana for other duties.

Units

Name	Pennant	Laid down	Launched	Commissioned	Service	Home port
HMAS Anzac (FFH 150) [1]	FFH 150	5 November 1993	16 September 1994	18 May 1996	RAN	Fleet Base West
HMNZS Te Kaha (F77)	F77	19 September 1994	22 July 1995	26 July 1997	RNZN	Devonport
HMAS Arunta (FFH 151) [2]	FFH 151	22 July 1995	28 June 1996	12 December 1998	RAN	Fleet Base West
HMNZS Te Mana (F111)	F111	28 June 1996	10 May 1997	10 December 1999	RNZN	Devonport
HMAS Warramunga (FFH 152) [3]	FFH 152	26 July 1997	23 May 1998	28 March 2001	RAN	Fleet Base West
HMAS Stuart (FFH 153) [4]	FFH 153	25 July 1998	17 April 1999	17 August 2002	RAN	Fleet Base East
HMAS Parramatta (FFH 154) [5]	FFH 154	4 June 1999	17 June 2000	4 October 2003	RAN	Fleet Base East
HMAS Ballarat (FFH 155) [6]	FFH 155	4 August 2000	25 May 2002	26 June 2004	RAN	Fleet Base East
HMAS Toowoomba (FFH 156) [7]	FFH 156	26 July 2002	16 May 2003	8 October 2005	RAN	Fleet Base West
HMAS Perth (FFH 157) [8]	FFH 157	24 July 2003	20 March 2004	26 August 2006	RAN	Fleet Base West

References

• Dennis, Peter (2008). The Oxford Companion to Australian Military History (Second ed.). Melbourne: Oxford University Press Australia & New Zealand. ISBN 9780195517842. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
• Jones, Peter (2001). "A Period of Change and Uncertainty". In Stevens, David (ed.). The Royal Australian Navy. The Australian Centenary History of Defence (vol III). South Melbourne, VIC: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0195555422. OCLC 50418095.

External links

• Australian Navy Website
• Naval-technology.com