Frigate HMAS Arunta rejoins Australian Navy after AMCAP upgrade


The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Anzac-class frigate HMAS Arunta officially rejoined the RAN fleet after completing its Anzac Midlife Capability Assurance Programme (AMCAP) upgrade.


Frigate HMAS Arunta rejoins Australian Navy after AMCAP upgrade HMAS Arunta returns to Fleet Base West after completing AMCAP upgrades (Picture Source: Royal Australian Navy)


Arunta is the first ship to undergo the program which provides significant improvements to the ship’s key sensor and communications systems. To mark the occasion, a number of elders from the Arrernte Tribe, that the ship takes its name from, travelled from the Northern Territory to Western Australia to undertake the traditional smoking ceremony, while a Welcome to Country was provided by local Noongar elders.

The AMCAP upgrade includes a platform systems remediation programme to improve platform reliability and maintainability. A key component of the upgrade improves the Anzac-class air search capability by replacing the legacy long range air search radar with a new digital phased array radar developed by Australian company CEA Technologies. This radar complements the existing anti-ship missile defence system.

AMCAP also includes an upgrade to the ship’s communications systems, enhancing the communications capabilities of the Anzac-class since the platform was introduced approximately 20 years ago.

“Re-joining the fleet marks an incredible achievement by the ship’s company, our support organisations, and our Australian defence industry partners in the Warship Asset Management Agreement Alliance,” Arunta’s commanding officer, Commander Troy Duggan, said. “We have worked hard together to deliver one of the world’s most advanced warships, and are looking forward to getting underway for sea trials very soon.”