HMAS Arunta during its Anzac midlife capability assurance programme. Credit: ABIS Christopher Szumlanski / Royal Australian Navy.

The Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Anzac-class frigate HMAS Arunta is currently undergoing the Anzac midlife capability assurance programme (AMCAP).

The upgrade is being carried out on the Anzac-class vessel by Australia’s Warship Asset Management Agreement (WAMA) Alliance.

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HMAS Arunta is set to be installed with a new radar system at BAE Systems site in Henderson, Western Australia, as part of the AMCAP.

WAMA Alliance major projects implementation manager commander Steve Ford noted that a SEA 1448 Phase 4B air search radar will be integrated on-board the navy ship under the modification programme.

The system is intended to replace the existing and ageing SPS49 long-range air search radar.

"Once operational, this system will provide increased capability and reliability, and lead to a significant reduction in ‘through-life’ costs for the Anzac-class."

The new air search radar is slated to be built indigenously by Australian company CEA Technologies and is expected to complement the existing anti-ship missile defence system.

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Ford said: “Once operational, this system will provide increased capability and reliability, and lead to a significant reduction in ‘through-life’ costs for the Anzac-class.

“The SEA1448 Phase 4B project will also replace the existing Identification, Friend or Foe (IFF) and secondary surveillance radar capability with a new and enhanced system.”

HMAS Arunta is also scheduled to undergo a platform systems obsolescence programme that has been designed to increase platform reliability and maintainability.

The AMCAP will see a variety of works be conducted on the vessel to improve its habitability for the crew members, ensure ‘through-life’ supportability and reduce ‘total cost of ownership’ into the future.

The programme also includes the modernisation of the Australian vessel’s communications systems through the integration of SEA 1442 Phase 4.

HMAS Arunta is expected to be back in service with the Australian Navy by the end of 2019, while upgrades on the remaining seven vessels of the class are expected to be completed by 2023.

The WAMA Alliance is a partnership between the Australian Government, BAE Systems, Saab Australia and Naval Ship Management Australia.

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