Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Fawcett very much for his question, as a very interested senator from South Australia, but also as the chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. Of course, the safety and security of our nation is the Turnbull government's first priority.

As we set out in the defence white paper in 2016, which the Prime Minister and I released, the regeneration of the Royal Australian Navy is a key part of our strategy for maritime security. On Friday 29 June, with the Prime Minister, the Minister for Defence Industry, the Minister for Finance—Senator Cormann—Senator Fawcett and a number of other colleagues present as well, we announced the final step in finalising our historic naval regeneration, with the announcement that the Hunter class Future Frigates will be designed by BAE Systems and built by ASC Shipbuilding in Adelaide. Through that decision the government will deliver one of the world's most advanced anti-submarine warfare frigates, giving our military the potent naval capability that it needs.

The Hunter class will provide the ADF with the highest levels of lethality and deterrence that our major surface combatants need. It will have the capability to conduct a variety of missions, independently or as part of a task group, with sufficient range and endurance to operate effectively throughout the region and, indeed, further abroad. The frigates will also have the flexibility, importantly, to support non-warfare roles, such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. We know particularly how important that can be in our region, which is particularly prone to those challenges. It will incorporate the leading edge, Australian developed CEA phased array radar, and the US Navy's Aegis combat management system, with an Australian interface developed by SAAB Australia—the development of which Senator Fawcett, as a South Australian, is particularly proud. The Hunter class will be one of the most capable warships in the world. (Time expired)