Hobart-class

The Hobart class is a series of three guided-missile destroyers operated by the Royal Australian Navy. Developed under Project SEA 4000 to replace the Perth-class destroyers and Adelaide-class frigates, the design is based on the Navantia Álvaro de Bazán-class frigate. The Australian government selected this platform in 2007 as it was an existing, operational design.

The vessels use a Combined Diesel or Gas propulsion arrangement driving two controllable pitch propellers. The class is built around the Aegis combat system, integrating S-band and X-band radar systems with a sonar suite comprising hull-mounted and towed variable depth sensors. Armament includes a Vertical Launch System for Standard Missile 2, Standard Missile 6, and Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles. The ships are also equipped with Naval Strike Missiles, Tomahawk cruise missiles, a main gun, and torpedo launchers for anti-submarine operations. Close-in defense is provided by a Phalanx system and remote weapon stations. Each vessel accommodates a single MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and two rigid-hulled inflatable boats.

Construction was managed by the AWD Alliance, a consortium including the Defence Materiel Organisation, ASC, and Raytheon. The ships were assembled at Osborne, South Australia, using 31 pre-fabricated modules produced by ASC, BAE Systems Australia, Forgacs Group, and Navantia. The construction program encountered manufacturing errors and schedule delays, leading to its placement on the Australian government’s Projects of Concern list in 2014. Reported issues included discrepancies in design drawings and fabrication defects in internal pipework and keel blocks.

HMAS Hobart entered service in September 2017, followed by HMAS Brisbane in 2018 and HMAS Sydney in 2020. The ships are currently undergoing the SEA4000 Phase 6 upgrade. This project involves transitioning the combat system to Aegis Baseline 9 to integrate enhanced missile defense and fire control systems. Navantia Australia is the platform systems designer for the modifications, while Saab Australia is providing a tactical interface to increase commonality across the Australian surface fleet. Recent operations include the first firings of the Naval Strike Missile and Standard Missile 6 by HMAS Sydney in 2024, and the first Tomahawk cruise missile firing by HMAS Brisbane in December 2024.