Australia to Invest $50 Million for Hunter-Class Frigate Facility

CANBERRA: The Australian government will invest AUD$65 million ($50 million) to deliver a land-based test facility for Royal Australian Navy’s new Hunter-class frigates, creating up to 180 jobs at businesses across the greater Adelaide region at the project’s peak.

The test facility will enable the testing and integration of the combat systems for the Hunter programme, which is delivering nine anti-submarine warfare frigates to keep Australia safe.

Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price announced Hansen Yuncken Pty Ltd had been engaged as the head contractor to build the state-of-the-art test facility at the St Kilda Transmitting Station in South Australia.

“These works are part of the AUD$2.1 billion ($1.6 billion) Navy Capability Infrastructure Sub-program (NCIS) to deliver maritime and shore-side facilities around the country,” Minister Price said in a statement.

“Those facilities will support the operation of Navy’s new ships being obtained under the 2017 Naval Shipbuilding Plan.

“Under the Government’s industry participation policy, Hansen Yuncken has produced an outstanding plan to maximise opportunities for local businesses to supply goods or services.

“Hansen Yuncken’s target is to have 100% of the work go to businesses in the greater Adelaide region.”

Construction of the facility is due to start this month, with completion anticipated by early 2023.

BAE Systems Australia, is the prime contractor for the Hunter-class frigate programme. The ships will be built at Osborne Naval Shipyard. 

The Hunter-class is based on BAE Systems’ Type 26 Global Combat Ship design, the world’s first bow-to-stern digitally-designed anti-submarine warfare frigate. –amd/adj/aaa (Photo: BAE Systems)