imported>Decooldude: /* Design and construction */ updated weaponry

2025-11-19T12:53:23Z

Design and construction: updated weaponry

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{{short description|Anzac-class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy}}
{{Other ships|HMAS Arunta}}
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = HMAS Arunta during RIMPAC 2020.jpg
| Ship caption = HMAS ''Arunta'' in 2020
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Ship country = Australia
| Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|Australia|naval}}
| Ship namesake = The [[Arrernte people]]
| Ship builder = [[Tenix Defence]]
| Ship laid down = 22 July 1995
| Ship launched = 28 June 1996
| Ship commissioned = 12 December 1998
| Ship recommissioned =
| Ship decommissioned =
| Ship homeport = [[Fleet Base East]]
| Ship identification = *{{MMSI Number|503110000}}
| Ship motto = "Conquer Or Die"
| Ship nickname =
| Ship honours = *[[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|Persian Gulf]] 2001–02
*Plus five [[HMAS Arunta#Battle honours|inherited honours]]
| Ship status = Active as of 2024
| Ship notes =
| Ship badge = [[File:HMAS arunta crest.png|Ship's badge]]
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Ship class = [[Anzac-class frigate|''Anzac''-class frigate]]
| Ship displacement = 3,810 tonnes full load
| Ship length = {{convert|118|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam = {{convert|15|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| Ship draught = {{convert|4|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| Ship propulsion = *1 × General Electric LM 2500 gas turbine providing 30,000 hp (22.5 MW)
*2 × MTU 12v 1163 TB83 diesels providing 8,840 hp (6.5 MW)
| Ship speed = {{convert|27|kn}}
| Ship range = {{convert|6000|nmi}} at {{convert|18|kn}}
| Ship endurance =
| Ship boats =
| Ship complement = approximately 170 sailors
| Ship sensors = *'''Sonars''': Thomson Sintra Spherion B Mod 5; hull-mounted; active search and attack; medium frequency. Provision for [[Towed array sonar|towed array]]
*'''Air search radar''': CEA Technologies CEAFAR2-L long range Active Phased Array Radar (L Band)
*'''Search radar''': CEA Technologies CEAFAR Active Phased Array Radar (S Band)
*'''Navigation''': Kelvin Hughes Sharpeye (I-band)
*'''Passive Detection''': Sagem Vampir NG Infrared Search/track
*'''Target Illumination Radar''': CEA Technologies CEAMOUNT Active Phased Array Illuminator (X Band)
*'''Combat data systems''': Saab 9LV 453 Mk 3E.[[Link 11]]& [[Link16]]
*'''Weapons control''': Saab 9LV 453 radar/optronic director with CEA Solid State Continuous Wave Illuminator
| Ship EW = *'''ESM''': Racal modified Sceptre A (radar intercept), Telefunken PST-1720 Telegon 10 (comms intercept)
*'''Countermeasures''': Decoys: G & D Aircraft SRBOC Mk 36 Mod 1 decoy launchers for SRBOC, BAE Systems [[Nulka]] active missile decoy
| Ship armament = *'''Guns and missiles''': 1 × 5 in/54 (127 mm) Mk 45 Mod 2 gun, 2 × Rafael Mini Typhoon 12.7mm (.50 cal) CIWS, small arms, 2 × 4 [[RGM-84 Harpoon|Harpoon]] Block II anti-ship missiles, Mk 41 Mod 5 VLS for [[AIM-7 Sparrow|Sea Sparrow]] and [[Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile|Evolved Sea Sparrow]]
*'''Torpedoes''': 2 × triple 324 mm Mk 32 Mod 5 tubes with MU 90 Torpedo
| Ship aircraft = 1 × [[Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk]]
| Ship notes = Post-Anti-Ship Missile Defence Project upgrade. See [[Anzac-class frigate|class article]] for original configuration.
}}
|}
'''HMAS ''Arunta'' (FFH 151)''' is an [[Anzac-class frigate|''Anzac''-class]] [[frigate]] of the [[Royal Australian Navy]] (RAN). The ship, named for the [[Arrernte people]], was laid down in 1995 and commissioned in 1998. Since entering service, ''Arunta'' has performed a wide range of duties, including border protection patrols in northern Australian waters, and several deployments to the Persian Gulf.

==Design and construction==
{{main|Anzac-class frigate}}
The ''Anzac'' class originated from RAN plans to replace the six [[River-class destroyer escort]]s with a mid-capability patrol frigate.<ref name=Jones244>Jones, in Stevens, ''The Royal Australian Navy'', p. 244</ref><ref>Fairall-Lee, Miller, & Murphy, in Forbes, ''Sea Power'', p. 336</ref><ref name=GrazebrookSail/> The Australian shipbuilding industry was thought to be incapable of warship design, so the RAN decided to take a proven foreign design and modify it.<ref name=Jones244/><ref name=GrazebrookSail/> Around the same time, the [[Royal New Zealand Navy]] (RNZN) was looking to replace four [[Leander-class frigate|''Leander''-class]] frigates; a deterioration in [[New Zealand-United States relations]], the need to improve alliances with nearby nations, and the commonalities between the RAN and RNZN ships' requirements led the two nations to begin collaborating on the acquisition in 1987.<ref>Greener, ''Timing is everything'', pp. 23–9</ref><ref name=Jones245>Jones, in Stevens, ''The Royal Australian Navy'', p. 245</ref> Tenders were requested by the Anzac Ship Project at the end of 1986, with 12 ship designs (including an [[airship]]) submitted.<ref name=Jones244/><ref name=Greener30>Greener, ''Timing is everything'', p. 30</ref> By August 1987, the tenders were narrowed down in October to [[Blohm + Voss]]'s [[MEKO 200]] design, the M class (later [[Karel Doorman-class frigate|''Karel Doorman'' class]]) offered by [[Royal Schelde]], and a scaled-down [[Type 23 frigate]] proposed by [[Yarrow Shipbuilders]].<ref name=Jones245/><ref name=Greener31>Greener, ''Timing is everything'', p. 31</ref> In 1989, the Australian government announced that Melbourne-based shipbuilder AMECON (which became [[Tenix Defence]]) would build the modified MEKO 200 design.<ref name=GrazebrookSail>Grazebrook, ''Anzac frigates sail diverging courses''</ref><ref name=Jones245/><ref name=Greener31/> The Australians ordered eight ships, while New Zealand ordered two, with an unexercised option for two more.<ref name=Wertheim20>Wertheim (ed.), ''The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World'', p. 20</ref><ref>Greener, ''Timing is everything'', pp. 43–4</ref>

The ''Anzac''s are based on Blohm + Voss' MEKO 200 PN (or [[Vasco da Gama-class frigate|''Vasco da Gama'' class]]) frigates, modified to meet Australian and New Zealand specifications and maximise the use of locally built equipment.<ref name=GrazebrookSail/><ref>Wertheim, ''The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World'', pp. 20–1</ref> Each frigate has a {{convert|3,600|t|adj=on}} [[full load displacement]].<ref name=Sharpe25.470>Sharpe (ed.), ''Jane's Fighting Ships 1998–99'', pgs. 25, 470</ref> The ships are {{convert|109|m}} long at the [[waterline length|waterline]], and {{convert|118|m}} [[length overall|long overall]], with a [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|14.8|m}}, and a full load [[draught (hull)|draught]] of {{convert|4.35|m}}.<ref name=Sharpe25.470/> A [[Combined Diesel or Gas]] (CODOG) propulsion machinery layout is used, with a single, {{convert|30172|hp|adj=on}} General Electric LM2500-30 gas turbine and two {{convert|8,840|hp|adj=on}} MTU 12V1163 TB83 diesel engines driving the ship's two [[Variable-pitch propeller (marine)|controllable-pitch propellers]].<ref name=GrazebrookSail/><ref name=Sharpe25.470/> Maximum speed is {{convert|27|kn}}, and maximum range is over {{convert|6,000|nmi}} at {{convert|18|kn}}; about 50% greater than other MEKO 200 designs.<ref name=GrazebrookSail/><ref name=Sharpe25.470/><ref name=Wertheim21>Wertheim, ''The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World'', pp. 21</ref> The standard ship's company of an ''Anzac'' consists of 22 officers and 141 sailors.<ref name=Sharpe25.470/>

[[File:HMAS Arunta 5inch.jpg|left|upright=1.2|thumb|5-inch 54-calibre [[5"/54 caliber Mark 45 gun|Mark 45 Mod 2]] main gun aboard HMAS ''Arunta'', with side inspection panel open]]

As designed, the main armament for the frigate is a [[5"/54 caliber Mark 45 gun|5-inch 54 calibre Mark 45 gun]], supplemented by an eight-cell [[Mark 41 Vertical Launch System|Mark 41 vertical launch system]] (for [[RIM-7 Sea Sparrow]] or [[RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow]] missiles), two {{convert|12.7|mm|adj=on}} machine guns, and two [[Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes|Mark 32 triple torpedo tube]] sets (initially firing [[Mark 46 torpedo]]es, but later upgraded to use the [[MU90 Impact]] torpedo).<ref name=Sharpe25.470/><ref name=GrazebrookSail/><ref name=FishGrevatt>Fish & Grevatt, ''Australia's HMAS Toowoomba test fires MU90 torpedo''</ref> They were also designed [[for but not with]] a [[Phalanx CIWS|Mark 15 Phalanx]] [[close-in weapons system]] (two [[Typhoon Weapon System#Mini Typhoon|Mini Typhoon]]s fitted when required from 2005 onwards), two quad-canister [[Harpoon (missile)|Harpoon]] anti-ship missile launchers (which were installed across the RAN vessels from 2005 onwards), and a second 8-cell Mark 41 VLS (which has not been added).<ref name=GrazebrookSail/><ref name=Scott05>Scott, ''Updating ANZACs to meet changed strategic posture''</ref><ref name=ScottEnhanced>Scott, ''Enhanced small-calibre systems offer shipborne stopping power''</ref> The Australian ''Anzac''s used a single [[Sikorsky S-70B-2 Seahawk]] helicopter; plans to replace them with [[Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite]]s were cancelled in 2008 due to ongoing problems.<ref name=GrazebrookSail/><ref name=Grevatt>Grevatt, ''Australia cancels troubled Super Seasprite programme''</ref><ref name=Forbes>Forbes, ''How a helicopter deal flew into trouble''</ref> Instead, the S-70B-2 was replaced with the [[Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk]] by late 2017.

''Arunta'' was laid down at [[Williamstown, Victoria]] on 22 July 1995.<ref name=Wertheim20/> The ship was assembled from six hull modules and six superstructure modules; the superstructure modules were fabricated in [[Whangarei, New Zealand]], and hull modules were built at both Williamstown and [[Newcastle, New South Wales]], with final integration at Williamstown.<ref name=GrazebrookSail/> She was launched on 28 June 1996<ref name=Wertheim20/> by Dulce Morrow, wife of the first commanding officer of [[HMAS Arunta (I30)|the first ''Arunta'']].{{citation needed|date=October 2011}} The ship was commissioned on 12 December 1998.<ref name=Wertheim20/> The spelling of the ship's name is not consistent with that used by the [[Arrernte people]], who the previous ship was named after; correcting it was considered, but the RAN decided to use the same spelling as the previous ship.{{citation needed|date=October 2011}} Had the New Zealand government exercised their option for two more frigates, ''Arunta'' was one of the ships that would have been designated for the RNZN.<ref name=GrazeLok>Grazebrook & Lok, ''RAN sets course to crack the WIP for ANZAC frigates''</ref>

==Operational history==
In 2000, ''Arunta'' conducted a North East Asian deployment including Exercise RIMPAC based in Hawaii. During a port visit to Suva, Fiji at the beginning of the deployment, crew members using fireworks from hotel balconies inadvertently set in motion the [[2000 Fijian coup d'état]] which went into full motion the following day, after ''Arunta'' had sailed from port. During an interview from prison in 2015, George Speight, who led the coup, was quoted as saying: "Those dopey sailors nearly ruined everything. The only reason we didn't hit Uncle Frank that night was because he was drinking with them at the naval base. When the fireworks went off my crew thought it was the signal to move on parliament and the military leadership but they couldn't find anyone. From that point we just had to commit but be careful not to involve the Australian Navy."{{cn|date=October 2025}}

In September 2001, ''Arunta'' deployed to northern Australian waters in the wake of the [[Tampa affair]]. The ship participated in Operation Gaberdine and [[Operation Relex]] in two separate deployments. During the second deployment ''Arunta'' was involved in the interception and/or return of [[Suspected Illegal Entry Vessel]]s (SIEV) 6, 7, and 9.<ref>Details of ''Arunta''{{'}}s role in this Operation can be found in the transcript of the ''Senate Select Inquiry Into A Certain Maritime Incident''. CMI Inquiry Evidence [http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/maritime_incident_ctte/index.htm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070406072335/http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/maritime_incident_ctte/index.htm|date=6 April 2007}}</ref>
[[File:HMAS Arunta off Vizag during AUSINDEX 2015.JPG|thumb|left|HMAS ''Arunta'' in 2015]]

In 2002, ''Arunta'' saw active service for the first time when she participated as part of the third rotation of RAN ships to the [[Persian Gulf]] as part of [[Operation Slipper]].<ref name=NashStevens56/> The ship was involved in the enforcement of United Nations sanctions against Iraq, and at the time operated closer to the Iraqi coast than any other ship of the [[International Coalition Against Terrorism]] force.<ref name=NashStevens56>Nash & Stevens, ''Australia's Navy in the Gulf'', p. 56</ref> The ship's boarding parties effected 377 boardings during her four months on station.<ref>Department of Defence, ''HMAS Aruta home following deployment with International Coalition Against Terrorism''</ref>

On 12 November 2007, ''Arunta'' deployed for her second tour of active service in the [[Persian Gulf]], as part of [[Operation Catalyst]].<ref name=DODnov07/> The ship's role was to contribute to the protection of Iraqi oil platforms, security boardings of all vessels proceeding to the platforms and training of the Iraqi Navy.<ref name=DODnov07>Department of Defence, ''HMAS Arunta farewelled''</ref> The ship returned from this deployment on 11 May 2008.<ref>Department of Defence, ''HMAS Arunta welcomed home for Mother's Day''</ref>

On 19 December 2008, ''Arunta'' was dispatched from Fremantle to rescue injured yachtsman [[Yann Elies]], who was participating in the [[Vendée Globe]], a solo round-the-world yacht race.<ref name=McManus/> Elies was stranded {{convert|1480|km|nmi mi}} southwest of [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]], when his leg was broken in heavy seas.<ref name=McManus>McManus, ''Navy rescue of solo yachtsman Yann Elies could cost taxpayers $1m''</ref>

Following an overhaul of the RAN [[battle honour]]s system, completed in March 2010, ''Arunta'' was retroactively awarded the honour "Persian Gulf 2001–02".<ref name=newhonours>Royal Australian Navy, ''Navy Marks 109th Birthday With Historic Changes To Battle Honours''</ref><ref name=honourslist>Royal Australian Navy, ''Royal Australian Navy Ship/Unit Battle Honours''</ref>

In June 2014, modifications to ''Arunta'' as part of the Anti-Ship Missile Defence Project upgrade were completed.<ref name=AruntaASMD>{{cite press release |date=27 June 2014 |title=HMAS Arunta returns to sea |url=http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/06/27/hmas-arunta-returns-to-sea/ |type=Press release |publisher=Australian Government: Department of Defence |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714234138/http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/06/27/hmas-arunta-returns-to-sea/ |archive-date=14 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Arunta'' was the second ship of the class to be upgraded, with the installation of a CEAFAR Phased Array Radar and an upgraded SAAB Combat Management System, among other modifications, during an 18-month refit.<ref name=AruntaASMD/> The ship commenced post-refit sea trials at the end of June.<ref name=AruntaASMD/>

In July 2017 the ''Arunta'' was deployed in the Middle East for nine months as part of Operation Manitou. ''Arunta'' was the first vessel in the RAN to conduct an extended patrol in the region and the 64th Australian vessel deployed to the region since 1990.<ref>{{cite web|title=Operation MANITOU|url=http://www.defence.gov.au/Operations/OpManitou/|publisher=Department of Defence (Australia)|access-date=6 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704083858/http://www.defence.gov.au/Operations/OpManitou/|archive-date=4 July 2017}}</ref> During November 2020 the ship took part in efforts to enforce sanctions against North Korea as part of [[Operation Argos]].<ref name="Kadib Ballarat joins Operation Argos">{{cite news |last1=Kadib |first1=Charbel |title=HMAS Ballarat joins Operation Argos |url=https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/maritime-antisub/8049-hmas-ballarat-joins-operation-argos |access-date=17 July 2021 |work=Defence Connect |date=18 May 2021}}</ref>

In early 2021 ''Arunta''{{'}}s crew were transferred to {{HMAS|Perth|FFH 157|6}} in order to reactivate that frigate after it had been out of service for a lengthy period.<ref>{{cite web |title=Crew meets mayor of ship's namesake |url=https://news.defence.gov.au/service/crew-meets-mayor-ships-namesake |publisher=Department of Defence |access-date=2 June 2021 |date=1 June 2021}}</ref>

==Citations==
{{reflist|30em}}

==References==
;Books
*{{cite book|last=Fairall-Lee |first=Sam |author2=Miller, Kate |author3=Murphy, David |title=Sea Power: Challenges Old and New |editor=Andrew Forbes |publisher=Halstead Press |location=Ultimo, NSW |year=2007 |chapter=The Royal Australian Navy in 2030 |isbn=978-1-920831-44-8 }}
*{{cite book |last=Greener |first=Peter |title=Timing is everything: the politics and processes of New Zealand defence acquisition decision making |publisher=ANU E Press |series=Canberra Papers on Strategy and Defence |volume=173 |location=Canberra, ACT |year=2009 |isbn=978-1-921536-65-6 |url=http://epress.anu.edu.au/timing_citation.html |access-date=1 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110407100508/http://epress.anu.edu.au/timing_citation.html |archive-date=7 April 2011 |url-status=dead }}
*{{cite book|last=Jones |first=Peter |editor=Stevens, David |title=The Royal Australian Navy |series=The Australian Centenary History of Defence (vol III) |year=2001 |publisher=Oxford University Press |chapter=A Period of Change and Uncertainty |location=South Melbourne, VIC |isbn=0-19-555542-2 |oclc=50418095}}
*{{cite book |title=Australia's Navy in the Gulf: From Countenance to Catalyst 1941–2006 |last1=Nash |first1=Greg |last2=Stevens |first2=David |publisher=Topmill |location=Silverwater, NSW |date=2006 }}
*{{cite book |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 1998–99 |editor=Sharpe, Richard |publisher=Jane's Information Group |location=Coulsdon, Surrey |year=1998 |edition=101st |isbn=0-7106-1795-X |oclc=39372676}}
*{{cite book |title=The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems |editor=Wertheim, Eric |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, MD |year=2007 |edition=15th |isbn=978-1-59114-955-2 |oclc=140283156 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TJunjRvplU4C}}

;Journal articles
*{{cite journal|last1=Fish |first1=Tim |last2=Grevatt |first2=Jon |date=24 June 2008 |title=Australia's HMAS Toowoomba test fires MU90 torpedo |journal=Jane's Navy International |publisher=Jane's Information Group}}
*{{cite journal|last=Grazebrook |first=A.W. |date=1 November 1996 |title=Anzac frigates sail diverging courses |journal=Jane's Navy International |publisher=Jane's Information Group |volume=101 |issue=9}}
*{{cite journal|last=Grazebrook |first=A.W. |author2=Lok, Joris Janssen |date=1 April 1997 |title=RAN sets course to crack the WIP for ANZAC frigates |journal=Jane's Navy International |publisher=Jane's Information Group |volume=102 |issue=3}}
*{{cite journal|last=Jon |first=Grevatt |date=5 March 2008 |title=Australia cancels troubled Super Seasprite programme |journal=Jane's Defence Industry |publisher=Jane's Information Group}}
*{{cite journal|last=Scott |first=Richard |date=16 December 2005 |title=Updating ANZACs to meet changed strategic posture |journal=Jane's Navy International |publisher=Jane's Information Group}}
*{{cite journal |last=Scott |first=Richard |date=12 December 2007 |title=Enhanced small-calibre systems offer shipborne stopping power |journal=International Defence Review |publisher=Jane's Information Group}}

;News articles
*{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/06/16/1023864378971.html |title=How a helicopter deal flew into trouble |last=Forbes |first=Mark |date=17 June 2002 |work=The Age |access-date=20 September 2011}}
*{{cite news |title=Navy rescue of solo yachtsman Yann Elies could cost taxpayers $1m |last=McManus |first=Gerard |url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,24826505-1245,00.html |work=Herald Sun |date=20 December 2008 |access-date=20 December 2008}}
*{{cite news |author=Royal Australian Navy |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/Navy_Marks_109th_Birthday_With_Historic_Changes_To_Battle_Honours |title=Navy Marks 109th Birthday With Historic Changes To Battle Honours |date=1 March 2010 |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |access-date=14 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613184920/http://www.navy.gov.au/Navy_Marks_109th_Birthday_With_Historic_Changes_To_Battle_Honours |archive-date=13 June 2011 }}

;Press releases
*{{cite press release |url=http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/Baileytpl.cfm?CurrentId=2128 |title=HMAS Arunta home following deployment with International Coalition Against Terrorism |publisher=Department of Defence |date=2 December 2002 |access-date=29 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516040504/http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/Baileytpl.cfm?CurrentId=2128 |archive-date=16 May 2011}}
*{{cite press release |url=http://www.defence.gov.au/media/DepartmentalTpl.cfm?CurrentId=7249 |title=HMAS Arunta farewelled |date=12 November 2007 |publisher=Department of Defence |access-date=29 October 2011}}
*{{cite press release |url=http://www.defence.gov.au/media/DepartmentalTpl.cfm?CurrentId=7672 |title=HMAS Arunta welcomed home for Mother's Day |date=11 May 2008 |publisher=Department of Defence |access-date=29 October 2011}}

;Other sources
*{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Units_entitlement_list.pdf |title=Royal Australian Navy Ship/Unit Battle Honours |date=1 March 2010 |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614064156/http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Units_entitlement_list.pdf |archive-date=14 June 2011 |access-date=23 December 2012}}

{{Commons category|HMAS Arunta (FFH 151)}}

{{Anzac class frigate}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Arunta, HMAS}}
[[Category:Anzac-class frigates of the Royal Australian Navy]]
[[Category:Naval ships of Australia]]
[[Category:1996 ships]]
[[Category:Military Units in Western Australia]]

HMAS Arunta (FFH 151) - Revision history

imported>Decooldude: /* Design and construction */ updated weaponry