Rohde & Schwarz, STS Defence join hands on Australian Hunter-class frigates

August 12, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

Rohde & Schwarz Australia has selected STS Defence to supply communications masts for the Royal Australian Navy’s new Hunter-class frigates.

As disclosed, STS Defence will provide the twin integrated main configurable communications masts for the frigates. When integrated with NAVICS multi-level security (MLS) systems, the masts will enable the Australian Navy’s new Hunter-class frigates to communicate effectively across a range of frequency bands.

“We are delighted to have STS Defence on board as a key supplier for the HCFP,” said Gareth Evans, Managing Director of Rohde & Schwarz Australia.

“STS Defence’s expertise in the design and manufacture of high-quality communications masts will be essential in ensuring the success of the Hunter program.”

We are thrilled to be a part of this flagship program for STS Defence, which showcases our technology, design, and integration capabilities. We are immensely proud to be providing this mission-critical system to one of the most advanced warships in the world,” Ben Stancliffe, Managing Director of STS Defence, added.

“Our team has worked closely with Rohde & Schwarz Australia to ensure that the communications masts meet the Royal Australian Navy’s requirements, and we look forward to delivering high-quality products that will support the success of the Hunter Class Frigate Program.”

STS Defence is the design authority for the masts and has successfully completed scoping, risk reduction, and detailed design studies, leading to Lloyd’s Certification.

The design is based on the main communications mast that STS Defence supplied for the Royal Navy’s Type 26 frigates.

The communications masts will support a range of antennas, providing line-of-sight communications across various frequency bands, as well as masthead steaming navigation lights. Special isolation screens, manufactured from composite materials, will provide isolation between the different frequency bands.

The masts will be designed and manufactured by Mainstay Marine Solutions in Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire, and shipped to Adelaide, Australia, for installation on the Hunter-class frigates at the Osborne Naval Shipyard.