Australia Equips Hunter Frigates with New Torpedo Defence Systems

The Royal Australian Navy’s Hunter-class frigates will receive new torpedo defence systems following BAE Systems Maritime Australia’s decision to award Ultra Maritime a contract for its Surface Ship Torpedo Defence (SSTD) system.

Under the deal, each Hunter-class frigate will be fitted with Ultra Maritime’s technology designed to detect, classify, and counter torpedo threats through advanced acoustic sensors and decoy measures. The system uses acoustic signatures to advise crews on tactics such as zig-zag or hard-turn manoeuvres to evade incoming torpedoes.

Based in Mawson Lakes, South Australia, Ultra Maritime is already providing the Bow Sonar for the Hunter program, a medium-range active and passive sonar designed for submarine detection.

The Hunter-class program was launched in 2018 to replace the Anzac-class warships. Following a 2024 defence review, Canberra reduced the planned number of vessels from nine to six to balance future naval requirements.

Each 151-meter-long Hunter-class ship will carry more than 200 crew members and accommodate a large helicopter, unmanned systems, and rigid hull inflatable boats. The frigates will be armed with lightweight anti-submarine torpedoes, naval strike missiles, land-attack cruise missiles, surface-to-air missiles, naval artillery, and close-in weapon systems.

Powered by a Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine, electric motors, and four high-speed diesel generators, the vessels are expected to achieve speeds above 27 knots and operate over 7,000 nautical miles.

Construction of the lead Hunter frigate began in January 2025, with commissioning expected by 2032.