HMAS Hunter

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HMAS Hunter is the lead ship of Australia’s Hunter-class heavy guided-munition frigates for the Royal Australian Navy. It is currently under construction by BAE Systems Australia in Osborne, South Australia, and is planned to enter service in 2034. The Hunter-class will replace part of the Anzac-class fleet and support the Hobart-class destroyers. Hunter was ordered on 30 June 2018 and is named after Vice Admiral John Hunter.

Design and capabilities
- The Hunter is an Australian version of the UK's Type 26 frigate.
- It will displace around 8,800 tonnes, be about 151 metres long, and sail at speeds above 27 knots.
- The ship will have a crew of about 180, with accommodation for up to 208.

Sensors and weapons
- Sensor and combat systems include the Aegis Combat System with a Saab interface, CEAFAR/CEAFAR-L/S/CEAMOUNT radars, and related processing and fire-control gear.
- Armament features two 4-cell anti-ship missile launchers and 32 Mk 41 vertical launch system cells for missiles such as Standard, ESSM, and Tomahawk.
- It carries MU90 torpedoes, a 127 mm main gun, and two 30 mm plus two 20 mm close-in weapon systems.
- The ship can launch a range of air and sea weapons, including Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Aircraft and mission space
- Hunter can operate one MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and has an enclosed hangar and a large flight deck.
- It includes a flexible mission bay and space for unmanned systems (UAVs/UUVs), a second helicopter when needed, four 11-meter rigid-h Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs), and container storage for missions.

Construction progress and timeline
- First steel was cut for prototype blocks in December 2021; the actual hull steel for Hunter began in June 2024.
- The ship was originally planned to be commissioned in 2031 and enter service in 2034, with the broader program costing several tens of billions of Australian dollars.