HMAS Flinders (FFG)
{{short description|Hunter-class frigate}}
{{other ships|HMAS Flinders}}
| {{Infobox ship begin
}} {{Infobox ship image | Ship image = File:Type 26 frigate.jpg | Ship caption = Type 26 frigate }} {{Infobox ship career | Hide header = | Ship country = Australia | Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|Australia|naval}} | Ship name = Flinders | Ship namesake = Matthew Flinders | Ship ordered = 30 June 2018 | Ship builder = BAE Systems Australia, Osborne | Ship yard number = | Ship laid down = | Ship launched = | Ship acquired = | Ship commissioned = | Ship decommissioned = | Ship in service = | Ship out of service = | Ship struck = | Ship reinstated = | Ship identification = Pennant number: | Ship honours = | Ship fate = | Ship status = Ordered | Ship notes = | Ship registry = | Ship homeport = | Ship original cost = AU$3.9 billion }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship type = Hunter-class frigate/destroyer | Ship displacement = {{convert|8,800|t|abbr=on}} full load displacement | Ship length = {{convert|151.4|m|abbr=on}} | Ship beam = {{convert|21.4|m|abbr=on}} | Ship draught = | Ship draft = | Ship propulsion = * CODLOG configuration
| Ship speed = 27+ knots | Ship range = {{convert|7,000|nmi|lk=in}} in electric motor drive | Ship complement = 180 personnel, with accommodation for 208 | Ship sensors = *Command & Control:
| Ship EW = Nulka decoy launchers | Ship armament = *Missiles:
| Ship armour = | Ship armor = | Ship aircraft = *1 × MH-60R ‘Romeo’ Seahawk armed with:
| Ship aircraft facilities = *Large Chinook capable flight deck | Ship notes = *Flexible Mission Bay:
|last=Kerr|first=Julian|date=5 March 2019|work=Save the Royal Navy|access-date=2018-06-01}} }} |
HMAS Flinders (FFG) is the second ship of the Hunter-class frigate/destroyer of the Royal Australian Navy.
Development and design
{{Main article|Hunter-class frigate}}
The Hunter-class frigate is a future class of frigates/destroyers for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), partly to replace the Anzac-class and as a supplement to Hobart-class destroyers. Construction is expected to begin in 2020, with the first of nine vessels to enter service in the late 2020s.{{Cite book|url=http://www.defence.gov.au/whitepaper/docs/2016-defence-white-paper.pdf|title=2016 Defence White Paper|pages=93|access-date=2020-12-10|archive-date=2016-04-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403192146/http://www.defence.gov.au/WhitePaper/Docs/2016-Defence-White-Paper.pdf|url-status=live}} The Program is expected to cost AU$35 billion and a request for tender was released in March 2017 to three contenders: Navantia, Fincantieri, and BAE Systems as part of a competitive evaluation process.{{Cite web|last=Pyne|first=Christopher|date=2017-03-31|title=$35 billion Future Frigate Tender|url=https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/christopher-pyne/media-releases/35-billion-future-frigate-tender|access-date=2017-06-06|website=www.minister.defence.gov.au|language=en|archive-date=2017-04-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403191318/https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/christopher-pyne/media-releases/35-billion-future-frigate-tender|url-status=live}}
The Hunter-class frigate will be an Australian variation of the Type 26 class frigate that is to be operated by the Royal Navy from the mid-2020s. The class will have a {{convert|8,800|t||adj=on}} full load displacement and will be approximately {{convert|150|m||adj=off}} in length. The vessel will be capable of sailing in excess of {{convert|27|knots||adj=off}} and will have a full complement of 180 crew.{{Cite news|last=Wroe|first=David|date=28 June 2018|title=British frigate program to seed Australia's own warship industry, Turnbull says|language=en|work=Sydney Morning Herald|url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/british-frigate-program-to-seed-australia-s-own-warship-industry-turnbull-says-20180628-p4zofd.html|access-date=2018-06-28|archive-date=2018-06-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628142826/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/british-frigate-program-to-seed-australia-s-own-warship-industry-turnbull-says-20180628-p4zofd.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=n.d.|title=Hunter Class FFG|url=http://www.navy.gov.au/fleet/ships-boats-craft/future/ffg|access-date=6 July 2018|website=Royal Australian Navy|ref=RANHunter|archive-date=19 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119124640/https://www.navy.gov.au/fleet/ships-boats-craft/future/ffg|url-status=live}}
Construction and career
Flinders was ordered on 30 June 2018 and named after Captain Matthew Flinders. She will be built by BAE Systems Australia in Osborne.{{Cite web|last=Kuper|first=Stephen|date=2018-06-28|title=Here comes the Hunter: BAE awarded $35bn SEA 5000 Future Frigate contract|url=https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/maritime-antisub/2498-here-comes-the-hunter-bae-awarded-35b-sea-5000-future-frigate-contract|access-date=2020-12-10|website=www.defenceconnect.com.au|language=en|archive-date=2020-11-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109041641/https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/maritime-antisub/2498-here-comes-the-hunter-bae-awarded-35b-sea-5000-future-frigate-contract|url-status=live}} Contract was signed on 21 June 2024.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Type 26 frigate}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Flinders}}