Construction of Australia’s first Hunter-class frigate advances as second ship nears fabrication start

June 26, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

Construction of Australia’s first Hunter-class frigate has advanced significantly, with key manufacturing and prototyping milestones reached across the program, while the second vessel is moving closer to the start of fabrication.

The progress comes as BAE Systems Australia and its industry partners continue work on NUSHIP Hunter at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia, where more than 60 percent of the ship is now in fabrication or construction phases. Recent developments include the delivery of a critical sonar dome sole plate manufactured by Hofmann Engineering in Western Australia.

Managing Director of BAE Systems Maritime Australia, David Shepherd, highlighted the importance of this piece of equipment and the Australian industry’s role in the Hunter program.

“This is a very substantial – in terms of its size, weight, and the extremely tight tolerances it must be manufactured to – piece of the frigate, and it is a testament to Hofmann Engineering’s specialist capability that they have now delivered it to Adelaide,” he noted.

“With the construction of NUSHIP Hunter continuing at pace with more than 60% of the frigate in fabrication or construction phases, the work of our supply chain partners, like Hofmann Engineering, is crucial to equipping the Royal Australian Navy with a superior anti-submarine warfare capability.”

“The manufacturing of the sonar dome sole plate for NUSHIP Hunter illustrates the unique abilities of Hofmann Engineering and the importance of sovereign manufacturing. This was a very challenging and technically difficult component and to be able to deliver this locally is a testament to our team and the capabilities of our business,” Chief Executive Officer of Hofmann Engineering, Oliver Viehweider, stated.

“Being able to support BAE Systems with such an important element of the ship is extremely rewarding. It also builds the supply chain depth in order to potentially unlock other opportunities for Hofmann Engineering.”

At the same time, prototyping activities on crew accommodation and outfitting systems are helping refine construction processes for future vessels, including the second ship in the class, NUSHIP Flinders, which is preparing to enter fabrication. The trials at Osborne are being used to validate installation methods, improve production efficiency, and support workforce readiness as the program scales up.

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 vessels 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.