Australia's
Strategic Policy
Anti-Ship Missile Self-Defence Upgrades for Guided Missile
Frigates (FFGs)
- The six Adelaide Class guided missile frigates (FFGs) acquired in the
early 1980s will remain amongst our most capable and flexible surface fighting
ships to around 2015.
- FFGs can strike other ships with Harpoon anti-ship missiles, used in
conjunction with surveillance and targeting information from Seahawk helicopters.
They can also protect military and commercial shipping against attack by
aircraft and submarines. Each FFG can embark two helicopters, not necessarily
Seahawks, adding to the flexibility these ships offer to a maritime force.
- To harness the full potential of these ships the core combat systems
are to be upgraded. Radars and command systems with improved capability
to detect missiles will be fitted and a new defensive missile system, optimised
to engage anti-ship missiles, will also be installed. Crew habitability
and self-defence against torpedoes and mines will be upgraded and the ships'
ageing machinery systems will be made more reliable.
- Based on earlier design studies the Australian companies ADI Limited
and Tenix Defence Systems are competing for a contract to upgrade all six
FFGs. The ships will be upgraded in Australia in the first half of the
next decade.
Picture of HMAS Adelaide
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AUSTRALIA'S STRATEGIC POLICY
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Last update: 2 December 1997.
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1996-97.