- Anzac class frigate
The ten "Anzac" class frigates are the major surface units of the
Royal Australian Navy (RAN) andRoyal New Zealand Navy (RNZN).cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/w/index.php/Anzac_Class |title=Anzac Class |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |accessdate=2008-08-21] They were based on a modified German MEKO 200 design.Design and construction
Built by
Tenix Defence Systems using modular construction techniques, hull and superstructure modules were built in bothAustralia andNew Zealand . 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.Australian improvements
A CEA SSCWI was fitted for control of the ESSM missile in upgraded RAN units.Fact|date=April 2008
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.Fact|date=April 2008 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.Fact|date=April 2008 The additional berths have a ranking mix of two officers, two Chief Petty officers, two Petty officers, and five sailors.Fact|date=April 2008 "Arunta" has completed her upgrade and remaining units will follow.Fact|date=April 2008
The Harpoon anti-ship missile is being fitted to Australian units.Fact|date=April 2008 Work was complete on the first upgraded ship, HMAS "Warramunga", in 2004.Fact|date=April 2008 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.Fact|date=April 2008 Remaining units will be upgraded in due course.Fact|date=April 2008
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, fourNulka active missile decoy bays and the Petrel Mine and Obstacle Avoidance Sonar system.Fact|date=April 2008 All upgrades and new builds are scheduled for completion by 2006.Fact|date=April 2008In 2004 Tenix, Saab, and the Australian Defence Department formed an Alliance (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.Fact|date=April 2008 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.Fact|date=April 2008New Zealand improvements
A
Phalanx CIWS was fitted to the two RNZN units.Fact|date=April 2008 AnESSM is to be fitted from 2008.Fact|date=April 2008New Zealand controversy
In the 1980s, the Anzac frigate project became a focus for the wider anti-
ANZUS ,non-alignment protest movement.Fact|date=April 2008 New Zealand originally planned to purchase four ships, but domestic political pressure on the government ofDavid Lange eventually forced the government to settle for two ships, plus a contract option for a further two ships at a later date.Fact|date=April 2008The
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.Fact|date=April 2008 To upgrade the Navy's fleet capabilities theProject Protector programme was instigated, with the construction of two offshore patrol vessels freeing "Te Kaha" and "Te Mana" for other duties.Units
References
External links
* [http://www.navy.gov.au/w/index.php/Main_Page Australian Navy Website]
* [http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/anzac/ Naval-technology.com]
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