HMASArunta(FFH 151)is anAnzac-classfrigateof theRoyal Australian Navy(RAN). The ship, named for theArrernte people,was laid down in 1995 and commissioned in 1998. Since entering service,Aruntahas performed a wide range of duties, including border protection patrols in northern Australian waters, and several deployments to the Persian Gulf.
 HMASAruntain 2020
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| History | |
|---|---|
 Australia | |
| Namesake | TheArrernte people |
| Builder | Tenix Defence |
| Laid down | 22 July 1995 |
| Launched | 28 June 1996 |
| Commissioned | 12 December 1998 |
| Homeport | Fleet Base East |
| Identification | MMSI number:503110000 |
| Motto | "Conquer Or Die" |
| Honours and awards |
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| Status | Active as of 2024 |
| Badge |  |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Anzac-class frigate |
| Displacement | 3,810 tonnes full load |
| Length | 118 m (387 ft) |
| Beam | 15 m (49 ft) |
| Draught | 4 m (13 ft) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph) |
| Range | 6,000 nautical miles (11,000 km; 6,900 mi) at 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph) |
| Complement | approximately 170 sailors |
| Sensors and processing systems |
|
| Electronic warfare & decoys |
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| Armament |
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| Aircraft carried | 1 ×Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk |
| Notes | Post-Anti-Ship Missile Defence Project upgrade. Seeclass articlefor original configuration. |
Design and construction
editTheAnzacclass originated from RAN plans to replace the sixRiver-class destroyer escortswith a mid-capability patrol frigate.[1][2][3]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.[1][3]Around the same time, theRoyal New Zealand Navy(RNZN) was looking to replace fourLeander-classfrigates; a deterioration inNew 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.[4][5]Tenders were requested by the Anzac Ship Project at the end of 1986, with 12 ship designs (including anairship) submitted.[1][6]By August 1987, the tenders were narrowed down in October toBlohm + Voss'sMEKO 200design, the M class (laterKarel Doormanclass) offered byRoyal Schelde,and a scaled-downType 23 frigateproposed byYarrow Shipbuilders.[5][7]In 1989, the Australian government announced that Melbourne-based shipbuilder AMECON (which becameTenix Defence) would build the modified MEKO 200 design.[3][5][7]The Australians ordered eight ships, while New Zealand ordered two, with an unexercised option for two more.[8][9]
TheAnzacs are based on Blohm + Voss' MEKO 200 PN (orVasco da Gamaclass) frigates, modified to meet Australian and New Zealand specifications and maximise the use of locally built equipment.[3][10]Each frigate has a 3,600-tonne (3,500-long-ton; 4,000-short-ton)full load displacement.[11]The ships are 109 metres (358 ft) long at thewaterline,and 118 metres (387 ft)long overall,with abeamof 14.8 metres (49 ft), and a full loaddraughtof 4.35 metres (14.3 ft).[11]ACombined Diesel or Gas(CODOG) propulsion machinery layout is used, with a single, 30,172-horsepower (22,499 kW) General Electric LM2500-30 gas turbine and two 8,840-horsepower (6,590 kW) MTU 12V1163 TB83 diesel engines driving the ship's twocontrollable-pitch propellers.[3][11]Maximum speed is 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph), and maximum range is over 6,000 nautical miles (11,000 km; 6,900 mi) at 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph); about 50% greater than other MEKO 200 designs.[3][11][12]The standard ship's company of anAnzacconsists of 22 officers and 141 sailors.[11]
As designed, the main armament for the frigate is a5-inch 54 calibre Mark 45 gun,supplemented by an eight-cellMark 41 vertical launch system(forRIM-7 Sea SparroworRIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrowmissiles), two 12.7-millimetre (0.50 in) machine guns, and twoMark 32 triple torpedo tubesets (initially firingMark 46 torpedoes,but later upgraded to use theMU90 Impacttorpedo).[3][11][13]They were also designedfor but not withaclose-in weapons system(twoMini Typhoonsfitted when required from 2005 onwards), two quad-canisterHarpoonanti-ship missile launchers (which were installed across the RAN vessels from 2005 onwards), and a second Mark 41 launcher (which has not been added).[3][14][15]The AustralianAnzacs use aSikorsky S-70B-2 Seahawkhelicopter; plans to replace them withKaman SH-2G Super Seaspriteswere cancelled in 2008 due to ongoing problems.[3][16][17]
Aruntawas laid down atWilliamstown, Victoriaon 22 July 1995.[8]The ship was assembled from six hull modules and six superstructure modules; the superstructure modules were fabricated inWhangarei, New Zealand,and hull modules were built at both Williamstown andNewcastle, New South Wales,with final integration at Williamstown.[3]She was launched on 28 June 1996[8]by Dulce Morrow, wife of the first commanding officer ofthe firstArunta.[citation needed]The ship was commissioned on 12 December 1998.[8]The spelling of the ship's name is not consistent with that used by theArrernte 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]Had the New Zealand government exercised their option for two more frigates,Aruntawas one of the ships that would have been designated for the RNZN.[18]
Operational history
editIn 2000,Aruntaconducted 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 Fiji coup which went into full motion the following day, afterAruntahad 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."
In September 2001,Aruntadeployed to northern Australian waters in the wake of theTampa affair.The ship participated in Operation Gaberdine andOperation Relexin two separate deployments. During the second deploymentAruntawas involved in the interception and/or return ofSuspected Illegal Entry Vessels(SIEV) 6, 7, and 9.[19]
In 2002,Aruntasaw active service for the first time when she participated as part of the third rotation of RAN ships to thePersian Gulfas part ofOperation Slipper.[20]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 theInternational Coalition Against Terrorismforce.[20]The ship's boarding parties effected 377 boardings during her four months on station.[21]
On 12 November 2007,Aruntadeployed for her second tour of active service in thePersian Gulf,as part ofOperation Catalyst.[22]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.[22]The ship returned from this deployment on 11 May 2008.[23]
On 19 December 2008,Aruntawas dispatched from Fremantle to rescue injured yachtsmanYann Elies,who was participating in theVendée Globe,a solo round-the-world yacht race.[24]Elies was stranded 1,480 kilometres (800 nmi; 920 mi) southwest ofPerth,when his leg was broken in heavy seas.[24]
Following an overhaul of the RANbattle honourssystem, completed in March 2010,Aruntawas retroactively awarded the honour "Persian Gulf 2001–02".[25][26]
In June 2014, modifications toAruntaas part of the Anti-Ship Missile Defence Project upgrade were completed.[27]Aruntawas 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.[27]The ship commenced post-refit sea trials at the end of June.[27]
In July 2017 theAruntawas deployed in the Middle East for nine months as part of Operation Manitou.Aruntawas 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.[28]During November 2020 the ship took part in efforts to enforce sanctions against North Korea as part ofOperation Argos.[29]
In early 2021Arunta's crew were transferred toHMASPerthin order to reactivate that frigate after it had been out of service for a lengthy period.[30]
Citations
edit- ^abcJones, in Stevens,The Royal Australian Navy,p. 244
- ^Fairall-Lee, Miller, & Murphy, in Forbes,Sea Power,p. 336
- ^abcdefghijGrazebrook,Anzac frigates sail diverging courses
- ^Greener,Timing is everything,pp. 23–9
- ^abcJones, in Stevens,The Royal Australian Navy,p. 245
- ^Greener,Timing is everything,p. 30
- ^abGreener,Timing is everything,p. 31
- ^abcdWertheim (ed.),The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World,p. 20
- ^Greener,Timing is everything,pp. 43–4
- ^Wertheim,The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World,pp. 20–1
- ^abcdefSharpe (ed.),Jane's Fighting Ships 1998–99,pgs. 25, 470
- ^Wertheim,The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World,pp. 21
- ^Fish & Grevatt,Australia's HMAS Toowoomba test fires MU90 torpedo
- ^Scott,Updating ANZACs to meet changed strategic posture
- ^Scott,Enhanced small-calibre systems offer shipborne stopping power
- ^Grevatt,Australia cancels troubled Super Seasprite programme
- ^Forbes,How a helicopter deal flew into trouble
- ^Grazebrook & Lok,RAN sets course to crack the WIP for ANZAC frigates
- ^Details ofArunta's role in this Operation can be found in the transcript of theSenate Select Inquiry Into A Certain Maritime Incident.CMI Inquiry Evidence[1]Archived6 April 2007 at theWayback Machine
- ^abNash & Stevens,Australia's Navy in the Gulf,p. 56
- ^Department of Defence,HMAS Aruta home following deployment with International Coalition Against Terrorism
- ^abDepartment of Defence,HMAS Arunta farewelled
- ^Department of Defence,HMAS Arunta welcomed home for Mother's Day
- ^abMcManus,Navy rescue of solo yachtsman Yann Elies could cost taxpayers $1m
- ^Royal Australian Navy,Navy Marks 109th Birthday With Historic Changes To Battle Honours
- ^Royal Australian Navy,Royal Australian Navy Ship/Unit Battle Honours
- ^abc"HMAS Arunta returns to sea"(Press release). Australian Government: Department of Defence. 27 June 2014. Archived fromthe originalon 14 July 2014.Retrieved7 July2014.
- ^"Operation MANITOU".Department of Defence (Australia). Archived fromthe originalon 4 July 2017.Retrieved6 July2017.
- ^Kadib, Charbel (18 May 2021)."HMAS Ballarat joins Operation Argos".Defence Connect.Retrieved17 July2021.
- ^"Crew meets mayor of ship's namesake".Department of Defence. 1 June 2021.Retrieved2 June2021.
References
edit- Books
- Fairall-Lee, Sam; Miller, Kate; Murphy, David (2007). "The Royal Australian Navy in 2030". In Andrew Forbes (ed.).Sea Power: Challenges Old and New.Ultimo, NSW: Halstead Press.ISBN978-1-920831-44-8.
- Greener, Peter (2009).Timing is everything: the politics and processes of New Zealand defence acquisition decision making.Canberra Papers on Strategy and Defence. Vol. 173. Canberra, ACT: ANU E Press.ISBN978-1-921536-65-6.Archived fromthe originalon 7 April 2011.Retrieved1 September2011.
- Jones, Peter (2001). "A Period of Change and Uncertainty". In Stevens, David (ed.).The Royal Australian Navy.The Australian Centenary History of Defence (vol III). South Melbourne, VIC: Oxford University Press.ISBN0-19-555542-2.OCLC50418095.
- Nash, Greg; Stevens, David (2006).Australia's Navy in the Gulf: From Countenance to Catalyst 1941–2006.Silverwater, NSW: Topmill.
- Sharpe, Richard, ed. (1998).Jane's Fighting Ships 1998–99(101st ed.). Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Information Group.ISBN0-7106-1795-X.OCLC39372676.
- Wertheim, Eric, ed. (2007).The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems(15th ed.). Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press.ISBN978-1-59114-955-2.OCLC140283156.
- Journal articles
- Fish, Tim; Grevatt, Jon (24 June 2008). "Australia's HMAS Toowoomba test fires MU90 torpedo".Jane's Navy International.Jane's Information Group.
- Grazebrook, A.W. (1 November 1996). "Anzac frigates sail diverging courses".Jane's Navy International.101(9). Jane's Information Group.
- Grazebrook, A.W.; Lok, Joris Janssen (1 April 1997). "RAN sets course to crack the WIP for ANZAC frigates".Jane's Navy International.102(3). Jane's Information Group.
- Jon, Grevatt (5 March 2008). "Australia cancels troubled Super Seasprite programme".Jane's Defence Industry.Jane's Information Group.
- Scott, Richard (16 December 2005). "Updating ANZACs to meet changed strategic posture".Jane's Navy International.Jane's Information Group.
- Scott, Richard (12 December 2007). "Enhanced small-calibre systems offer shipborne stopping power".International Defence Review.Jane's Information Group.
- News articles
- Forbes, Mark (17 June 2002)."How a helicopter deal flew into trouble".The Age.Retrieved20 September2011.
- McManus, Gerard (20 December 2008)."Navy rescue of solo yachtsman Yann Elies could cost taxpayers $1m".Herald Sun.Retrieved20 December2008.
- Royal Australian Navy (1 March 2010)."Navy Marks 109th Birthday With Historic Changes To Battle Honours".Royal Australian Navy. Archived fromthe originalon 13 June 2011.Retrieved14 March2010.
- Press releases
- "HMAS Arunta home following deployment with International Coalition Against Terrorism"(Press release). Department of Defence. 2 December 2002. Archived fromthe originalon 16 May 2011.Retrieved29 October2011.
- "HMAS Arunta farewelled"(Press release). Department of Defence. 12 November 2007.Retrieved29 October2011.
- "HMAS Arunta welcomed home for Mother's Day"(Press release). Department of Defence. 11 May 2008.Retrieved29 October2011.
- Other sources
- "Royal Australian Navy Ship/Unit Battle Honours"(PDF).Royal Australian Navy. 1 March 2010. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 14 June 2011.Retrieved23 December2012.
