Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Daniel Hurst Foreign affairs and defence correspondent

Australia urged to cut back $45bn Hunter-class frigate project as part of ‘bold revamp’

Ships from the Royal Australian Navy, including the Anzac class frigates HMAS Perth and Warramunga. A new report calls for an overall increase in RAN ships, but a cut in the Hunter class frigate order.
Ships from the Royal Australian Navy, including the Anzac class frigates HMAS Perth and Warramunga. A new report calls for an overall increase in RAN ships, but a cut in the Hunter class frigate order. Photograph: Reuters

Australia should cut back its $45bn Hunter-class frigate project or the navy will end up with too many ships focused on anti-submarine warfare, a new report warns.

The report published by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (Aspi) calls for a “bold” revamp of the navy’s surface fleet, including reducing the Hunter-class frigate order from nine ships to six.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.