HMAS Ballarat completes upgrade
HMAS Ballarat, an Anzac-class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), has successfully completed its anti-ship missile defence upgrade, the navy announced in 24 February.
The upgrade includes the addition of a CEA phased array radar suite and an aft radar mast ‘cupola’ to house the phased array radar; an upgraded combat system; and engineering changes and maintenance tasks including the ability to embark the MRH-90 helicopter.
The ship's propulsion plant safety and operability has been verified, and it has now set sail for sea trials to test and validate the upgrade package.
As part of the ongoing Anzac class upgrade, HMAS Ballarat is the fifth vessel to proceed to Mariner Skills Evaluation and Sea Trials post upgrade, following HMAS Perth, Arunta, Anzac and Warramunga.
HMAS Parramatta and Toowoomba are half-way through the process on the dry dock in the BAE Systems shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia. HMAS Stuart, the last ship to be upgraded, will enter the programme in May.
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