Australia’s Hunter-class frigate program moves forward

November 26, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

Australia’s next-generation Hunter-class frigates have taken a significant step forward, with the Sonar 2087 handling systems completing factory acceptance tests (FATs).

As disclosed, a milestone was achieved for NuShip Hunter with the successful factory acceptance test of the towed body handling system (TBHS) and towed array handling system (TAHS) for the sonar suite.

The FAT was conducted at the Thales Defence Mission Systems facility in Brest, France, with representatives from Thales France, Thales UK, Thales Australia and the Royal Australian Navy in attendance.

Sonar 2087, the British-developed variant of the Thales CAPTAS-4 system, combines active and passive sonar arrays to detect, locate, and classify submarines at ranges up to 60 kilometres. Sonar 2087, the British-developed variant of the Thales CAPTAS-4 system, combines active and passive sonar arrays to detect, locate, and classify submarines at ranges up to 60 kilometres.

With testing complete, the systems are scheduled for delivery to Australia in the first quarter of 2026 for integration into Hunter, marking a significant step towards the vessel’s planned early 2030s delivery.

The Hunter‑class frigate program was initiated to provide the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) with a modern, high‑end anti‑submarine and multi‑mission surface combatant, replacing older Anzac‑class frigates.

The Hunter-class ships will have an 8,800-ton full load displacement and will be approximately 150 meters long.

The design is based on the UK’s Type 26 Global Combat Ship, but heavily modified to meet Australian operational requirements, including integration of the US Navy’s Aegis combat system with a local interface from Saab Australia, the Australian‑designed CEAFAR2 phased‑array radar, tailored communications and sensors, and the ability to operate the MH‑60R Seahawk Romeo maritime helicopter.

L3Harris Technologies was chosen to provide the integrated platform management system (IPMS) that will control the ship’s propulsion, power generation and auxiliary systems, while Ultra Maritime will supply the torpedo defense capabilities for the frigates.

Construction officially began with a first steel cut in June 2024 at the BAE Systems Maritime Australia facility in South Australia’s Osborne Naval Shipyard, and the contract covers the first three of six ships now planned.

The deliveries are scheduled for the 2030s.