Babcock And L3Harris Land Hunter-Class Frigate Contracts

Babcock and L3Harris have struck deals with BAE Systems Maritime Australia to provide key systems on the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) new Hunter-class frigates. 

As per recent press statements from both firms, L3Harris Technologies will provide its Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) for all the new boats, while Babcock Australasia will install lift and hoist systems on Batch I, the first three vessels in the new class.

Both companies have signed agreements with BAE Systems Maritime Australia, which won the contract to build the frigates at the Osborne Naval Shipyard, South Australia, as part of its Continuous Naval Shipbuilding programme.

Construction work on the first boat, the future HMAS Hunter, began in June 2024 and the vessel is scheduled to be commissioned in 2034. The names of the next two frigates, the Flinders and the Tasman, have also been announced, but timelines for their completion have not yet been released.

The result of the Future Frigate Programme which started back in 2009, initially eight and then nine ships were planned at an estimated cost of AU$35 billion. The contract was awarded to BAE Systems in 2018; this was revised to an order for six Hunter-class frigates in February 2024.

L3Harris’s IPMS will manage a range of systems on the new boats including the ships’ power generation and propulsion. It was first developed for the U.K. Royal Navy’s Type 26 frigates, which formed the design basis for the Hunter-class vessels.

Meanwhile, the $30 million, three-ship deal struck between BAE Systems and Babcock Australasia “will see Babcock procure, modify and set to work separate lift and hoist systems,” according to its statement.

Again based on the design of a similar system being installed on U.K. Type 26 frigates, the hoists will enable supplies to be shuttled around the vessel rapidly and safely. The new deal follows hot on the heels of last year’s agreement between the two firms for Babcock Australasia to fit Air Weapons Handling Systems on the new frigates.

L3Harris Vice President, Australia, Alan Clements said: “The Hunter is one of the world’s most advanced anti-submarine warfare frigates and key to ensuring Australia has a fleet with the highest level of performance, lethality and deterrence."

He added: “This award exemplifies our commitment to deliver advanced technology that will significantly improve the RAN’s capabilities.”

Babcock Australasia CEO Andrew Cridland commented: “The ability to effectively move stores around a ship is vital for maintaining readiness and effectiveness during missions. Our quality solutions will ensure that the crew can access the resources they need when they need them, enhancing both performance and safety.”

Maritime Acting Managing Director of BAE Systems Australia Paul Berryman said the Hunter-class frigate programme was “laying the foundations of Continuous Naval Shipbuilding and equipping Australians with critical skills and training.”

He added: “The Osborne Naval Shipyard is now approaching peak production, with the construction of the first Hunter class frigate well underway.

“We are focused on providing the world’s best anti-submarine warfare capability for the Royal Australian Navy.”

• You can read more details about the new contracts on the Babcock website and the L3Harris website