In size, frigates sit between the smaller corvettes and larger destroyers. They serve a number of roles: surface warfare, submarine warfare, escorts, surveillance and intelligence, search and rescue, and disaster relief. Frigates operate in both littoral and blue waters.
The name ‘frigate’ originated in the days of sail and usually described a ship with a single gun deck. The modern frigate was developed by the Royal Navy during the Second World War to overcome the sea-keeping, speed and range limitations of its principal escort and anti-submarine warfare vessels, the Flower-class corvettes (similar to the Australian-built Bathurst-class corvettes). Australian and British Second World War frigates were comparable with the United States Navy’s destroyer escorts.
The Royal Australian Navy currently operates seven 3600-tonne, 118-metre Anzac-class frigates. The frigates have missiles, a helicopter, torpedoes, a 5-inch gun, and radar, sonar, detection and protection systems. Powered by combined-diesel-or-gas engines, they are capable of over 27 knots and offer a range of 6000 nautical miles at 18 knots. A typical complement is 22 officers, 140 sailors and up to 16 others (often air crew).
Two new classes of frigate have been announced: the Hunter-class (due in the early 2030s), and general-purpose frigates. These frigates will enhance the Royal Australian Navy’s anti-submarine and anti-air warfare capabilities.