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.

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