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BAE Systems Australia has expanded its partnership with Ultra Maritime for the company to supply its state-of-the-art Surface Ship Torpedo Defence system for the Royal Australian Navy’s future Hunter Class frigates.
The announcement marks a significant milestone in the multibillion-dollar Hunter Class frigate program – one of Australia’s most complex and strategically important naval shipbuilding projects – and strengthens the nation’s sovereign undersea warfare capability.
Each Hunter Class frigate will be equipped with Ultra Maritime’s advanced Surface Ship Torpedo Defence (SSTD) technology, designed to detect, track and counter modern torpedo threats through a fully integrated acoustic detection and countermeasure system.
The SSTD suite combines a high-performance sonar with two types of acoustic decoys to provide a “sense-to-effect” capability, automatically analysing torpedo signatures and recommending evasive manoeuvres such as hard turns or zigzag patterns to defeat incoming weapons.
Based in Mawson Lakes, South Australia, Ultra Maritime already supplies the Bow Sonar system for the Hunter Class program, which offers medium-range active and passive detection of submarines. The addition of the SSTD system extends the company’s role in ensuring the new fleet can dominate in contested underwater environments.
Andy Coxall, delivery director acquisition and build at BAE Systems Maritime Australia, said the contract underscored Australia’s commitment to building one of the most capable anti-submarine warfare fleets in the world.
“The Hunter Class frigates are a critical capability for protecting Australia’s shores and safeguarding the accessibility of sea lanes and undersea infrastructure that our nation depends on,” Coxall said.
“Ultra Maritime is a world leader in anti-submarine warfare and its proven solutions will deliver next-generation capability to these Tier 1 warships, ensuring they remain effective against evolving security challenges.”
Jonathan Sadleir, vice president and general manager of Ultra Maritime Australia, said the partnership with BAE Systems Maritime Australia demonstrated the strength of Australia’s growing undersea defence sector.
“Ultra Maritime is proud to provide the Royal Australian Navy with a comprehensive sense-to-effect capability that keeps ships and crews safe from torpedo threats,” Sadleir said.
“This award builds on our existing contracts for the Bow Sonar and adds to an expanding range of manned and unmanned vessels using our pioneering anti-submarine technologies. By leveraging our global expertise and strong local presence, Ultra Maritime is well positioned to support future AUKUS maritime programs while expanding Australia’s sovereign undersea warfare capabilities.”
The SSTD system employs a single in-line towed array with automatic threat alerts, combining high detection probability with a low false alarm rate all while reducing operator workload.
The integration of both the SSTD and hull-mounted sonar aligns the RAN’s Hunter Class with the baseline Global Combat Ship design, used by the Royal Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, and Royal Norwegian Navy.
This commonality will enable interoperability, streamline sustainment and ensure the RAN benefits from future upgrades and shared technology development.
The Hunter Class frigates, being built at Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia, will form the backbone of the Navy’s surface fleet in the coming decades.
Each 8,800-tonne vessel is designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare but will also provide potent air defence and surface strike capability. The program supports thousands of Australian jobs and is central to the government’s push for greater sovereign control of critical defence technologies.
By combining the expertise of BAE Systems and Ultra Maritime, Australia is strengthening its industrial base while ensuring the RAN’s next-generation frigates are equipped to counter undersea threats in an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific maritime environment.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
