ANZAC class frigate
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 HMAS ANZAC operating in support of Operation Enduring Freedom |
|
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: | Tenix Defence Systems |
| Operators: |  Royal Australian Navy Royal New Zealand Navy |
| Preceded by: | River class |
| Built: | November 5, 1993 - March 20, 2004 |
| In service: | May 18, 1996 - present |
| In commission: | May 18, 1996 - present |
| Completed: | 10 |
| Active: | 10 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Frigate |
| Tonnage: | 3,600 |
| Displacement: | 3,600 tons |
| Length: | 118 metres |
| Beam: | 14.8 metres |
| Draught: | 4 metres |
| 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) |
| Electronic warfare and 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 SH-60 Seahawk |
The ten Anzac-class frigates are the major surface units of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN).[1] They were based on a modified German MEKO 200 design.
Built by Tenix Defence Systems using modular construction techniques, hull and superstructure modules were built in both New Zealand and Australia. Final fit out was in Williamstown, Australia. Eight ships serve in the RAN and are numbered FFH 150 - FFH 157. The two RNZN ships are F77 and F111.
Contents |
[edit] Australian improvements
- CEA SSCWI fitted for control of the ESSM missile in upgraded RAN units.
- 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 +11 berths have a ranking mix of +2 Officers, +2 CPOs, +2 POs & +5 JRs. Arunta has completed her upgrade and remaining units will follow.[citation needed]
- The Harpoon anti-ship missile is being fitted to Australian units. Work was complete on the first upgraded ship, HMAS Warramunga, in 2004. 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. Remaining units will be upgraded in due course.
The Australian Defence Department decided to upgrade their Anzacs even before all ships were completed, the upgraded configuration 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, 4 Nulka active missile decoy bays and the Petrel Mine and Obstacle Avoidance Sonar system. All upgrades and new builds are scheduled for completion by 2006.[citation needed]
In 2004 Tenix, Saab and the Australian Defence Department formed an Alliance (Private Public Partnership) to upgrade the Antiship 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.
[edit] New Zealand improvements
- Phalanx CIWS fitted to RNZN units.
- ESSM to be fitted from 2008.
[edit] 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 4 ships, but domestic political pressure on the government of David Lange eventually forced the government to settle for 2 ships, plus a contract option for a further 2 ships at a later date.[citation needed]
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.[citation needed] 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 tasks.
