Hunter
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2028
Total Production : 6
Model | Status | Year | Produced |
---|---|---|---|
Hunter | Under Development | 2028 | 6 |
Hunter
Group : Frigates
Status : Under Development
Also Known As : Future Frigate Program, Sea 5000
Origin : Australia
Contractors : BAE Systems*, ASC Shipbuilding, Saab
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2028
Total Production : 6
The Future Frigate Program, also referred to as Sea 5000 program, is aimed at delivering nine guided missile frigates as replacement for the ANZAC frigate class within the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The 6,000 to 7,000 ton class Sea 5000 frigates will be outfitted with the Aegis weapon system as stated in October 2017. Three major contractors are competing for this program: Navantia of Spain is offering a modified F100 class frigate; Fincantieri is offering a modified FREMM frigate; and BAE Systems is offering the Type 26 class frigate modified for the export market. Australia is expected to take a decision on the Future Frigate Program in 2018 with the construction of the first ship expected to begin in 2020. On June 29, 2018, Australia selected BAE Systems and Type 26 Global Combat Ship design as the basis for the Future Frigate Program which is now called the Hunter class.
In February 2024, the government of Australia slashed the Hunter class frigate program to only six vessels.
Operators
Country | Status | State | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Planned | 6 |
Specifications
Notes | ||
---|---|---|
Crew | 180 | |
Number of Aircraft | 1 | |
Number of Engines | 1 | |
Dimensions | ||
Beam | 20.8 meter | |
Length | 150 meter | |
Main Gun Caliber | 127 millimeter | |
Mass | ||
Full Displacement | 8,800 ton | |
Performance | ||
Max Range | 7,000 nautical mile | |
Speed | ||
Top Speed | 27 knot |
Gear
ASW Helicopters | ||
---|---|---|
MH-60R Strikehawk | 1 | |
Decoy Systems | ||
Nulka | ||
Missile Launchers | ||
Mk 41 Strike Length | ||
Naval Gun Systems | ||
1 | ||
Radar Systems | ||
CEAFAR 2 | 1 | |
Sea-Based Air Defense Systems | ||
AEGIS | 1 | |
Ship Power Plants | ||
MT30 | 1 | |
Sonar Systems | ||
Sonar 2087 | 1 | |
Sonar 2150 | 1 | |
Surface-to-Air Missiles | ||
ESSM Block II | ||
Standard SM-2 Block IIIB | ||
Torpedoes | ||
MU90 Impact |
Listing
Ship | Status | Com | Decom |
---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Under Construction | 2028 | |
![]() |
Planned | 2029 | |
![]() |
Planned | 2030 | |
![]() |
Planned | 2031 | |
![]() |
Planned | 2032 | |
![]() |
Planned | 2033 | |
![]() |
Cancelled | 2034 | |
![]() |
Cancelled | 2035 | |
![]() |
Cancelled | 2036 |
News
Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Moorestown, New Jersey, is awarded a $300,942,534 cost-plus-incentive-fee modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-21-C-5127)

The Commonwealth of Australia has awarded BAE Systems Maritime Australia a contract to build the first three Hunter class frigates as the program celebrates its transition

We welcome the release of the Commonwealth of Australia’s Surface Combatant Review (SCR) as the Government moves to establish a next generation naval surface fleet.

BAE Systems to deliver multiple Mk 45 naval guns to Hunter class frigates BAE Systems has received a contract to deliver multiple shipsets of the Mk 45 Medium Caliber
WASHINGTON, January 15, 2020 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia of long lead items, engineering development
Saab Australia has been selected by BAE Systems to be part of a team, including Lockheed Martin Australia, to deliver the combat system integration for the Hunter class frigate.

The Turnbull Government will deliver one of the world’s most advanced anti-submarine warfare frigates, create 4000 Australian jobs and secure a local naval shipbuilding industry
WASHINGTON, June 26, 2018 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia of equipment associated with the integration
Australia’s nine new war ships, set for construction in 2020, will be armed with American-built Aegis combat management systems, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said, citing
Defence and security company Saab has been identified by the Australian government to provide the tactical interface to the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) fleet of nine Future Frigates.
Photo Gallery
June 2018

Hunter class frigate
Notes
State Latest Known holdings/Original Procurement
Com - Date of Commissioning
Decom - Date of Decommissioning
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