Hunter-class Frigate: 9,000 Tons, Aegis Combat System & Australia's $45 Billion ASW Warship

Hunter-class frigate – The Royal Australian Navy's next-generation anti-submarine warfare frigate, based on the British Type 26 design. (Image: BAE Systems / Speedo Science)

The Hunter-class frigate is not merely a warship — it is the most expensive and ambitious naval construction program in Australian history. With a total program cost exceeding $45 billion AUD for nine vessels, the Hunter-class is designed to replace the aging Anzac-class frigates as the backbone of the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN) anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability. Based on the British Type 26 Global Combat Ship (also known as the "City-class"), the Hunter-class is a 9,000-ton behemoth that combines a Aegis-derived combat system, a Mk 41 vertical launch system (VLS), and a CEA Technologies phased array radar — making it one of the most advanced surface combatants in the Southern Hemisphere. This is the engineering story of Australia's undersea guardian.

1. What Is the Hunter-Class? Australia's $45 Billion Frigate

• Program Name: Hunter-class frigate (formerly SEA 5000)
• Design Origin: British Type 26 Global Combat Ship (BAE Systems)
• Builder: BAE Systems Australia — Osborne Naval Shipyard, South Australia
• Number Planned: 9 vessels (first steel cut 2022; first delivery expected 2031)
• Total Program Cost: ~$45 billion AUD (~$30 billion USD)
• Role: Anti-submarine warfare (ASW), air defense, surface strike, humanitarian assistance
• Primary User: Royal Australian Navy (RAN)

The Hunter-class program is a cornerstone of Australia's naval shipbuilding strategy. Unlike the Anzac-class (which were built in partnership with Germany's Blohm+Voss), the Hunter-class is designed to maximize Australian industry content, with the majority of construction taking place at Osborne in South Australia. The government has committed to continuous naval shipbuilding, ensuring that the workforce at Osborne transitions from the Hunter-class directly to future programs (including nuclear-powered submarines under AUKUS).

"The Hunter-class will be the most capable anti-submarine warfare frigates in the world," said a RAN admiral. "They are designed specifically to counter the growing threat of quiet diesel-electric submarines operating in the Indo-Pacific, including Chinese, Russian, and North Korean boats. With their advanced sonar and quiet propulsion, they can hunt submarines that other frigates cannot detect."

2. 5 Fast Facts About the Hunter-Class Frigate

• 1. Massive 9,000-Ton Displacement: At approximately 9,000 tons full load, the Hunter-class is significantly larger than the Anzac-class (3,600 tons) and even larger than many destroyers. This size provides exceptional endurance (8,000+ nautical miles), sea-keeping, and growth margin for future upgrades.
• 2. Aegis Combat System (Australianized): The Hunter-class features the Aegis Combat System — the same system used on US Navy destroyers and cruisers. However, Australia has integrated its own CEA Technologies phased array radar (CEAFAR2) instead of the US SPY-1 or SPY-6. This unique combination provides world-class air and surface surveillance.
• 3. 32-Cell Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS): The Hunter-class carries 32 Mk 41 VLS cells amidships, capable of firing Standard Missile-2 (SM-2), SM-6, Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM), and Tomahawk cruise missiles. For anti-submarine warfare, it also carries 8 canister-launched MU90 torpedoes.
• 4. Quiet Propulsion for Submarine Hunting: The Hunter-class uses a CODLOG (Combined Diesel-Electric or Gas) propulsion system. For quiet ASW operations, it can run on electric motors only — generating minimal acoustic noise. When sprinting, it engages a gas turbine for speeds over 27 knots. This dual-mode propulsion is critical for detecting and tracking diesel-electric submarines.
• 5. A$45 Billion Price Tag (and Rising): The Hunter-class is the most expensive naval shipbuilding program in Australian history. Cost overruns have already been reported (first-of-class delivery delayed to 2031, with costs potentially exceeding $50 billion AUD). Critics argue that the program is too expensive for its capabilities, while proponents emphasize sovereign shipbuilding and strategic necessity.

"The Hunter-class is not a cheap ship, but Australia cannot afford not to build it," said a defense economist. "The Anzac-class frigates are aging out, and without a replacement, the RAN would lose its ASW capability entirely. The Indo-Pacific submarine threat is growing — China alone operates over 70 submarines. The Hunter-class is a necessary investment."

3. Hunter-Class Frigate Performance Metrics

• Displacement (full load): ~9,000 tons (9,880 short tons) — larger than many destroyers
• Length (overall): 149.9 meters (492 ft)
• Beam: 20.8 meters (68.2 ft)
• Draft: 7.2 meters (23.6 ft)
• Propulsion System: CODLOG (Combined Diesel-Electric or Gas)
• Gas Turbine: 1 × Rolls-Royce MT30 (36 MW) — same as Queen Elizabeth-class carriers
• Diesel Generators: 4 × MTU (for electric cruise)
• Electric Motors: 2 × for quiet ASW operations
• Maximum Speed: 27+ knots (31+ mph, 50+ km/h)
• Range: 8,000+ nautical miles at 15 knots
• Endurance: 60 days (food and supplies)
• Crew: 180 personnel (accommodation for up to 208)
• Accommodation: Mixed-gender, with enhanced habitability for long deployments
• Flight Deck: Capable of operating MH-60R Seahawk helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
• Hangar: Enclosed hangar for one MH-60R (with space for UAVs)
• Boat Bay: 2 × 11-meter RHIBs (rigid-hull inflatable boats) for boarding operations

Analysis: The Hunter-class's 9,000-ton displacement places it in the same category as the US Navy's Arleigh Burke-class destroyers (9,500 tons) — but the Hunter-class is classified as a frigate. This reflects the global trend toward larger, more capable frigates that can perform destroyer-like missions. The MT30 gas turbine, originally developed for the UK's Queen Elizabeth-class carriers, provides exceptional power for sprinting, while the electric motors enable silent submarine hunting. The 8,000+ nautical mile range is sufficient for transit from Australia to the South China Sea and back without refueling — a critical requirement for Indo-Pacific deployments.

4. Armament: Striking Power of the Hunter-Class

• Main Gun: 1 × 5-inch (127 mm) Mk 45 Mod 4 naval gun (range: 24 km / 13 nm)
• Vertical Launch System (VLS): 32 × Mk 41 strike-length cells amidships
• VLS Weapons (planned/possible):
  • Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) Block IIIB — area air defense
  • Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) — extended range air defense / anti-ship
  • Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2 — point defense (quad-packed, 4 per cell)
  • Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) — land attack, 1,600+ km range
  • Future hypersonic weapons (CPS / LRHW derivative)
• Anti-Ship Missiles: 8 × canister-launched Naval Strike Missile (NSM) or Harpoon (upgraded)
• Anti-Submarine Torpedoes: 2 × triple-tube launchers for MU90 Impact torpedoes (or Mk 54)
• Close-In Weapon System (CIWS): 1 × Phalanx 20mm (for last-ditch missile defense)
• Secondary Guns: 2 × 30mm cannons (for surface targets and anti-swarm boat defense)

What does this armament mean in practice? A Hunter-class frigate can simultaneously defend a carrier strike group against air attack (using SM-2/SM-6), hunt submarines (using torpedoes and sonar), strike land targets 1,600 km inland (using Tomahawk), and engage surface ships (using NSM or Harpoon). Few frigates in the world have this level of multi-mission capability — most specialize in one or two roles. The Hunter-class, like the US Navy's Arleigh Burke-class, is a true multi-mission warship.

5. Sensors & Combat Systems: The Brains of the Ship

• Combat Management System (CMS): Aegis Combat System (baseline 9, Australianized)
• Primary Air Search Radar: CEA Technologies CEAFAR2 — phased array, S-band
• Secondary Air Search Radar: CEAFAR-L (L-band for long-range surveillance)
• Hull-Mounted Sonar: Ultra Electronics Type 2150 — advanced active/passive array
• Towed Array Sonar: Ultra Electronics Type 2087 — variable depth sonar (VDS) for deep-water submarine detection
• Electronic Warfare (EW): Elbit Systems (Australian variant) — radar warning, jamming, and decoys
• Decoy Systems: Nulka active missile decoy (Australian-developed) — hovers and mimics ship's radar signature
• Navigation Radar: SharpEye (X-band) for surface navigation
• Optronic Sensors: Vampir NG (infrared search and track) for passive detection

The CEAFAR2 radar is a key differentiator. Most Aegis-equipped ships (US, Japanese, Korean) use the SPY-6 or SPY-1 radar. Australia instead opted for a domestic radar from CEA Technologies, claiming superior performance against low-observable (stealth) targets and better resistance to electronic attack. The CEAFAR2 is an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, similar in technology to the US SPY-6 but tailored to Australian requirements.

"The CEAFAR2 radar is the most advanced naval radar ever developed in Australia," said a CEA Technologies engineer. "It can detect and track hundreds of targets simultaneously, from supersonic anti-ship missiles to small drones and periscopes. Integrated with the Aegis system, it gives the Hunter-class unparalleled situational awareness."

6. Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW): The Core Mission

The Hunter-class was designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare (ASW). The RAN's primary mission in the Indo-Pacific is to protect Australia's sea lines of communication (SLOCs) and to counter increasingly capable Chinese, Russian, and North Korean submarines.

Key ASW features:

• CODLOG Propulsion: Electric motors for silent operation while hunting submarines. A diesel-electric submarine is quiet; a frigate running on electric motors is nearly as quiet, allowing it to detect submarines before being detected itself.
• Variable Depth Sonar (VDS): The Type 2087 towed array is deployed from the stern, allowing the sonar to be positioned below thermal layers where submarines can hide. The VDS can be deployed and recovered while the ship is underway.
• MH-60R Seahawk Helicopter: The embarked helicopter carries dipping sonar and sonobuoys, extending the ship's ASW sensor range to hundreds of kilometers.
• Torpedoes: The MU90 lightweight torpedo is designed for shallow-water ASW — critical for operating in the archipelagic waters of Southeast Asia.
• Acoustic Quieting: The Hunter-class incorporates extensive noise-reduction measures (rafting, acoustic insulation, propeller design) to minimize its own acoustic signature.

"The Hunter-class is a submarine's worst nightmare," said a RAN ASW specialist. "It can hunt diesel-electric submarines in shallow water — the hardest environment for ASW. It can sprint to a contact using the gas turbine, then switch to electric motors for silent approach. The Type 2087 sonar can detect a submarine at ranges exceeding 50 kilometers. The MH-60R can then drop torpedoes or sonobuoys to localize and attack. It's a complete system."

7. Comparison: Hunter-Class vs Regional Frigates

Rather than a table, here is a qualitative comparison of how the Hunter-class stacks up against its regional peers (some operating today, some under construction):

• vs Chinese Type 054B frigate: China's newest frigate, the Type 054B, displaces approximately 6,000 tons — smaller than the Hunter-class. It carries 32 VLS cells and has a combined diesel-electric or gas turbine (CODEG) propulsion. The Hunter-class is larger, more heavily armed (Tomahawk), and has a superior towed sonar array. However, China fields far more frigates (over 30 Type 054A+ variants) than Australia's nine Hunters.
• vs Japanese Mogami-class frigate: Japan's Mogami-class (30FFM) displaces 5,500 tons — significantly smaller than the Hunter-class. It has 16 VLS cells and is optimized for minesweeping and littoral operations. The Hunter-class is more capable in open-ocean ASW and has far greater striking power. Japan plans 22 Mogami-class frigates — outnumbering Australia's Hunters.
• vs Korean Daegu-class frigate (FFX Batch II): South Korea's Daegu-class displaces 3,600 tons (Anzac-class size) and has 16 VLS cells. It is primarily optimized for anti-submarine warfare but is smaller and less capable in air defense than the Hunter-class. South Korea is building a larger frigate (FFX Batch III, ~4,500 tons) but still smaller than the Hunter.
• vs Russian Admiral Gorshkov-class frigate: Russia's Gorshkov-class displaces 4,500-5,500 tons, with 16-32 VLS cells and advanced anti-ship missiles (Tsirkon hypersonic). While well-armed, the Gorshkov-class suffers from poor build quality and questionable maintenance. The Hunter-class has superior sensors and integration.
• vs UK Type 26 (parent design): The British Type 26 is nearly identical in design (24 VLS cells vs Hunter's 32, but otherwise similar). The Hunter-class has additional Mk 41 cells and Australian-specific sensors. Both are considered among the best ASW frigates in the world.

In terms of individual capability, the Hunter-class is arguably the most capable frigate in the Indo-Pacific — rivaled only by the Japanese Mogami-class (in numbers) and the US Navy's Constellation-class (currently under construction). However, Australia's fleet of nine Hunters is small compared to China's fleet of 50+ modern frigates and destroyers. The Hunter-class is designed for quality over quantity — a single Hunter may be worth two or three Chinese frigates in a one-on-one engagement, but China can afford to lose ships; Australia cannot.

8. Construction Status: Delays and Cost Overruns

• First steel cut: June 2022 (ceremonial)
• First of class (HMAS Hunter, FFG-01) delivery: Originally planned for 2028-2029; now delayed to 2031
• Second vessel (HMAS ???) delivery: ~2033
• Full nine-vessel fleet: Expected by late 2030s-early 2040s
• Program cost (2022 estimate): $35 billion AUD
• Program cost (2024 estimate): $45+ billion AUD (inflation + labor shortages)
• Potential future cost: May exceed $50 billion AUD by completion
• Australian content target: >50% (by value), including steel fabrication, radar, combat systems, and integration

Cost overruns are a sensitive issue for the Hunter-class program. Critics argue that the Australian government should have purchased an off-the-shelf design (such as the Spanish F-100 or Norwegian Fridtjof Nansen-class) to save money and time. Proponents counter that building the ships in Australia creates thousands of high-tech jobs and sustains a sovereign naval shipbuilding capability essential for the AUKUS submarine program.

"The Hunter-class is over budget and behind schedule — that is undeniable," said a defense analyst. "But canceling the program would be worse. The Osborne shipyard workforce is also building Australia's future nuclear submarines under AUKUS. If the Hunter-class program collapsed, that workforce would disperse, and Australia would lose decades of shipbuilding expertise."

9. Why This Matters for Australia and the Region

The Hunter-class frigate matters for three reasons. First, it represents Australia's commitment to maintaining a credible naval deterrent in the Indo-Pacific, despite the cost. The nine Hunters will replace nine aging Anzac-class frigates, providing a quantum leap in capability — from 3,600-ton escorts to 9,000-ton multi-mission warships.

Second, the Hunter-class is a cornerstone of Australia's continuous naval shipbuilding strategy. The same shipyard building the Hunters will eventually build Australia's next-generation destroyers and, under AUKUS, nuclear-powered submarines. Canceling or reducing the Hunter-class would undermine that industrial base.

Third, the Hunter-class enhances Australia's ability to operate alongside allied navies — particularly the US Navy, Royal Navy, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The Aegis combat system ensures interoperability with US and Japanese ships, while the Type 26 parent design ensures compatibility with the UK's similar frigates. In a crisis, Hunters can seamlessly integrate into a US carrier strike group.

For Indonesia, which operates a handful of frigates (including the Martadinata-class and former Dutch vessels), the Hunter-class represents a far higher level of naval capability. While Jakarta cannot afford a $45 billion frigate program, the Hunter-class offers lessons in network-centric warfare, the value of Aegis integration, and the importance of anti-submarine warfare in the archipelagic environment.

10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Hunter-class frigate?

The Hunter-class is a 9,000-ton anti-submarine warfare (ASW) frigate being built for the Royal Australian Navy by BAE Systems Australia. It is based on the British Type 26 Global Combat Ship.

How much does the Hunter-class cost?

The total program cost for nine frigates is approximately $45 billion AUD (~$30 billion USD), with potential to exceed $50 billion AUD due to inflation and labor shortages.

How many Hunter-class frigates will Australia build?

Australia plans to build nine Hunter-class frigates, replacing the nine Anzac-class frigates currently in service.

What is the displacement of the Hunter-class?

The Hunter-class displaces approximately 9,000 tons (9,880 short tons) at full load — larger than many destroyers.

Does the Hunter-class have Aegis?

Yes. The Hunter-class uses the Aegis Combat System (baseline 9), integrated with Australian-developed CEAFAR2 phased array radar.

What weapons does the Hunter-class carry?

The Hunter-class carries 32 Mk 41 VLS cells for SM-2, SM-6, ESSM, and Tomahawk missiles; 8 canister-launched Naval Strike Missiles (anti-ship); two triple-tube torpedo launchers; and a 5-inch gun.

When will the first Hunter-class frigate be delivered?

First-of-class delivery is expected in 2031, delayed from the original 2028-2029 target. The full fleet of nine vessels will be completed by the late 2030s to early 2040s.

Where is the Hunter-class built?

The Hunter-class is built at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia, with Australian industry content exceeding 50% by value.

What is the top speed of the Hunter-class?

The Hunter-class has a maximum speed of 27+ knots (31+ mph, 50+ km/h), using its Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine.

Is the Hunter-class better than China's Type 054B?

The Hunter-class is larger, more heavily armed (Tomahawk cruise missiles), and has superior ASW sensors. However, China fields over 30 modern frigates to Australia's nine Hunters. In a one-on-one engagement, the Hunter likely wins; in a fleet-on-fleet engagement, China's numerical advantage is decisive.

11. The Future of the Hunter-Class and Australian Shipbuilding

The Hunter-class is not the end of Australian frigate development — it is the foundation of a continuous naval shipbuilding enterprise. The Osborne shipyard will move from the Hunter-class to future programs, including:

• AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines (SSN-AUKUS): The first submarine (to be built in Australia) is expected in the 2040s. The Hunter-class workforce will form the core of the submarine construction team.
• Next-generation destroyer (Tier 2 combatant): Planned to replace the Hobart-class destroyers in the 2040s-2050s.
• Unmanned vessels (USVs): The RAN is exploring large unmanned surface vessels (LUSVs) for ISR and strike missions, possibly built at Osborne.

For the Royal Australian Navy, the Hunter-class represents a generational leap in capability. By the 2030s, the RAN will field a fleet of nine Hunters, three Hobart-class destroyers, and six AUKUS submarines — a formidable force by regional standards. But the high cost of the Hunter-class has forced trade-offs; Australia has cancelled plans for additional Hobart-class destroyers and delayed the next-generation destroyer program to fund the Hunters.

For defense analysts and enthusiasts, the Hunter-class is a case study in the challenges of sovereign shipbuilding. It is expensive, it is delayed, and it may be more ship than Australia needs. But in an era of rising Chinese naval power, the Hunter-class is also essential — a 9,000-ton ASW frigate with Aegis and Tomahawks sends a clear message that Australia is willing to invest in its own defense.

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Sources: BAE Systems Australia, Royal Australian Navy, Department of Defence (Australia), CEA Technologies, Speedo Science Database