Australia awards Babcock sustainment contract for Anzac-class frigates

The RAN's Anzac-class frigate HMAS Parramatta seen here being undocked in May 2025 after undergoing upgrade works. (Commonwealth of Australia)

Canberra has awarded Babcock Australia a contract to provide long-term support for the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN's) fleet of Anzac-class frigates.

The contract, announced by Australia's Department of Defence (DoD) on 2 September, appoints Babcock Australia as capability life-cycle manager (CLCM) for the seven-ship class.

Under the arrangement, Babcock will partner with Saab Australia to provide engineering support, spare parts, and asset-management services for the frigates and associated support systems.

The companies will also act as a central co-ordinator for engineering, asset management, and spare-parts support, working with a broader network of Australian industry suppliers.

Australia currently operates seven Anzac-class frigates following the decommissioning of the first-of-class HMAS Anzac in 2024. The vessels entered service between 1996 and 2006.

The Anzac class is derived from the German MEKO 200 design and was developed jointly for the RAN and Royal New Zealand Navy.

The RAN frigates displace approximately 3,600 tonnes at full load, measure 118 m in length, and are powered by a combined diesel or gas propulsion arrangement enabling top speeds in excess of 27 kt.

Weapons onboard the vessels include a 127 mm main gun, Evolved Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missiles, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and MU90 torpedoes.

Since entering service, the frigates have undergone a series of upgrades, including the Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) programme, which introduced the CEAFAR phased-array radar and other combat-system enhancements.

The Anzac class is expected to remain in service into the 2030s as the RAN transitions towards the future Hunter-class and general-purpose frigates.