HMAS Anzac (III)

HMAS Anzac (III) was the first of ten Anzac class frigates for the Royal Australian (eight) and Royal New Zealand (two) navies, based on the German MEKO 200 design. HMAS Anzac and the Anzac class frigates that followed were capable, flexible and powerful seaborne platforms. Anzac was the oldest ship in commission between 15 June 2023 and its decommissioning on 18 May 2024.

HMAS Anzac (III) during exercises in the Western Australian Exercise Area in February 2016.

The Anzac class was only the second class of surface combatants to be able to carry a helicopter operating the Seahawk from commissioning onwards. Its roles included surface and undersea warfare, surveillance and reconnaissance. All the class featured a flexible engineering plant with both diesel engines for routine operations and a gas turbine for higher speed requirements.

The class brought a number of changes to the way the Royal Australian Navy operated its frigate force. The smaller crew than in the River class Destroyer Escorts that the Anzacs replaced, required new thinking. There was considerably more integration of the ship’s company, as activities that were once seen as the domain of one part of the crew became whole-of-ship activities.

The full history of HMAS Anzac (III) is available at the link below.