The Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence Bruce Billson today officially took delivery of the tenth and final ANZAC class frigate, NUSHIP Perth on behalf of the Royal Australian Navy. Built by Tenix Defence Pty Ltd at the iconic Williamstown shipyard, the ship features state–of-the-art weaponry and a range of capability enhancements unique to Australia. The latest frigate was delivered as part of a 17-year fixed-price contract worth $7 billion. At today’s hand-over Mr Billson said the new Perth was a “flexible, capable and cost effective warship” and its construction had drawn on the skills and expertise of hundreds of local suppliers, sub contractors and Tenix employees.

“The construction of this fine ship serves as an excellent example of the world-class result that can be achieved when Defence and industry work together as partners,” Mr Billson said. “The ships built by Tenix have been of outstanding quality and have been delivered on cost, on time and on budget, to a schedule revised to accommodate new capabilities.”

The ANZAC construction project is the largest and most successful surface warship build project ever completed in Australia. It has provided long-term benefits for the economies on both sides of the Tasman and has involved about 1300 companies with 73 per cent local industry content, it has also provided 8,000 jobs.

Perth is a 3,600 tonne ship capable of a top speed in excess of 27 knots and it has a range of 6,000 nautical miles. The ship will be equipped with the latest communication, navigation and fire control systems. She will be capable of firing the Evolved Seasparrow missile from its Vertical Launching System and will be armed with a five inch gun. Mr Billson said the ANZAC Ships would provide the RAN with the capability of defending Australian waters from attack by any potential aggressor.

“Further work is underway to provide the ANZACs with an increased capability which will enable them to meet contemporary anti-ship missile defence requirements. This will ensure that the large investment in the Class will provide strategic benefits well into the future,” he said. The ANZACs have recently proved their considerable value to the Nation in their very effective operations in the Persian Gulf and off the north coast of Australia, as well as in Antarctic waters.