The Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) first upgraded HMAS Melbourne Frigate has begun maritime security operations in the Middle East, replacing the Anzac Class frigate (FFH) HMAS Parramatta.

The Adelaide Class guided-missile frigate is designed for missions that include area air defence, surface and undersea warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction and to counter threats from aircraft, surface vessels and submarines.

The ship is equipped with a sophisticated computer-based command and control system and a comprehensive sensor package including the Mulloka medium-range sonar for submarine detection.

Operation Slipper is the 24th Middle East Area of Operations mission undertaken by a ship of the RAN.