BAE Systems Australia lays keel of first Hunter-class frigate

Published Aug 24, 07:30 AM UTC

BAE Systems Australia has laid the keel of NUSHIP Hunter, the first of the Royal Australian Navy's new Hunter-class anti-submarine warfare frigates, at a ceremony on 24 August 2026 attended by Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy and Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Matthew Buckley. The Hunter class is derived from BAE Systems' Type 26 frigate design, originally developed for the Royal Navy, and adapted with Australian combat systems, sensors, and weapons. The milestone marks the transition from fabrication to assembly of the hull, with two major ship blocks joined. The program aims to provide Australia with high-end surface combatants focused on anti-submarine warfare while also supporting a continuous sovereign naval shipbuilding capability. The modular mission bay and advanced acoustic quieting are key features. BAE Systems Australia Managing Director David Shepherd highlighted the program's role in building a long-term domestic industrial base for warship construction and sustainment.