Anzac Mid Life Capability Assurance Program (AMCAP)
The Royal Australian Navy (Navy) operates eight ANZAC class frigates. The frigates were commissioned between 1996 and 2006, and form part of Navy’s core surface warship capability. The ANZAC class is used to: conduct surveillance and patrols; protect shipping and strategic areas; provide naval gunfire in support of the Army; and undertake disaster relief and search and rescue activities.
The entire fleet of eight Anzac Class ships will be upgraded to ensure they remain capable of achieving the operational objectives of the Australian Government and the Royal Australian Navy until the new Hunter Class frigates enter service. Since the ANZAC class was introduced into service, the ANZAC Systems Program Office has largely outsourced the sustainment of the class to industry.12 In July 2016, Defence contracted BAE Systems Australia, Saab Australia and Naval Ship Management (Australia) to sustain the frigates through the ‘Warship Asset Management Agreement’.
The way Defence has operated the ANZAC class frigates since acquisition has increased the usage of systems and equipment beyond the original design intent, accelerating the ageing of the ships systems and increasing early obsolescence. The operation of the frigates was considered to be outside the operating intent or design due to:
- a 20 percent increase in crew size from 157 to 192 and an increased endurance from 30 to 36 days, which had increased the workload on systems including sewage treatment, water generation, refrigeration, power generation and air conditioning;
- an increase in operational tempo from 125 to 150 days per annum, which had increased the running hours of systems;
- variance in operation from the baseline design — the Meko 200 baseline design for the frigates was based on operations in a cool climate and deep water, whereas the ANZAC class frigates have operated for extended periods in warm areas in coastal and archipelagic regions;
- a 50 per cent increase in required power due to modifications made to the ship since introduction into service and major system upgrades.
By 2019 the ANZAC class was half way through its original service life-of-type. The first frigate was expected to be withdrawn from service during 2024–25 and the last during 2032–33. In June 2018, the Australian Government announced that Hunter class frigates (under the SEA 5000 program) would replace the ANZAC class of ships, with the first Hunter class frigate scheduled to enter service in the late 2020s.1 To accommodate the design, build and introduction into service of the Hunter class frigates, the ANZAC class’ original withdrawal dates have been extended, with the first frigate to now be withdrawn in 2029–30 and the last in 2042–43.
The Department of Defence’s (Defence) Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group is responsible for the sustainment of the ANZAC class. Navy has advised the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group of its requirements and budget for the sustainment of the ANZAC frigates in a Materiel Sustainment Agreement. The budget for the sustainment of the eight ANZAC class frigates for 2018–19 is $374.0 million — 15 per cent of Navy’s overall sustainment budget of $2,422.4 million for that year. The approved budget to sustain the ANZAC class from 2018–19 to 2026–27 is $3.4 billion.
Defence has identified the effects of the current misalignment between sustainment planning, funding and actual operational use. The ANZAC class has experienced degradation of the ships’ hulls and sub-systems, with successive reviews and performance information highlighting the link between lack of conformance to operating intent/requirement, reduced platform life and reduced sustainment efficiency.
The ANZAC Mid-life Capability Assurance Program began in September 2017 and the final ship is scheduled to be upgraded by 2023. The upgrade is to address obsolescence and incorporate projects SEA 1408 Phase 2 Torpedo Self Defence, SEA1442 Phase 4 Maritime Communications Modernisation, and SEA 1448 Phase 4B Air Search Radar Replacement into the frigates. A hole is cut in the port side of the hull to allow for the removal and re-installation of parts and sub-systems.
The new mast is taller than wider compared with the existing mast so that it can accommodate the new CEA L-Band radar system, while retaining the existing Anti-Ship Missile Defence radar capability. The new L-Band radar capability will be integrated into the existing Combat Management Systems of the ship by SAAB Australia. The new mast was manufactured by BAE Systems as part of the Warship Asset Management Agreement (WAMA) between BAE Systems, SAAB Australia, Naval Ship Management (NSM) and the Commonwealth of Australia.
The addition of the CEAFAR-L and a new mast meant changes to the vessel’s center of gravity, lightship weight and stability have to be measured by reading drafts and conducting inclining experiments, before being compared to the previously-known hydrostatic properties of the design. Data from the tests was used as the basis for updating the known trim and stability properties of the ANZAC design, and applied to the remainder of the class as they undergo their AMCAP upgrades.
BAE Systems Australia undocked HMAS Arunta at its Henderson facility Nov 30 2018, the first Anzac class frigate to receive a full Anzac Mid Life Capability Assurance Program (AMCAP) upgrade. The upgrade has been undertaken collaboratively with participants of the Warship Asset Management Agreement (WAMA) which is an alliance between BAE Systems, SAAB Australia, Naval Ship Management (NSM) and the Commonwealth of Australia that provides in service support to the Anzac class frigates. Since arriving at Henderson in September 2017, around 300,000 hours of work had been invested in the ship.
Included in the AMCAP upgrade is the replacement of the ageing Air Search Radar capability with the new CEAFAR L-band long-range air search radar. This new CEA Technologies radar will also be part of the combat system on board the Hunter Class Frigates which will replace the Anzac class frigates.
Other major work included:-
- Upgraded ventilation systems;
- New sewage systems;
- Improvements to the Control and Monitoring System,
- Engine modifications to improve power and efficiency; and
- A new communications suite (SEA1442).
HMAS Arunta underwent extensive testing of these new systems prior to undertaking sea trials, ahead of a planned return to service in 2019.
Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class frigate HMAS Arunta officially rejoined the fleet 18 June 2019 after completing her Anzac Midlife Capability Assurance Program (AMCAP) upgrade. 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, traveled from the Northern Territory to Western Australia to undertake the traditional smoking ceremony, while a Welcome to Country was provided by local Noongar elders.
BAE Systems Australia Director Maritime Darren Kirkby said: “This is a project that demonstrates how industry can collaborate to deliver the support the RAN requires for the upgrade, sustainment and maintenance of the surface fleet. Our Williamstown team undertook the AMCAP design and the Henderson team undertook the installation on HMAS Arunta, these teams continue to provide significant sustainment, design and upgrade support to the Australian Navy.”
While the ANZAC class frigates are meeting Navy’s current capability requirements and continue to be deployed on operations in Australian, Middle Eastern and Asia-Pacific waters, Defence has been aware since at least 2012 that sustainment arrangements have not kept pace with higher than expected operational usage. Further, Defence cannot demonstrate the efficiency or outcomes of its sustainment arrangements, as the necessary performance information has not been captured. Defence will need to address relevant shortcomings in its sustainment arrangements to meet the requirement that the ANZAC class remain in service for an extra 10 years to 2043, pending the entry into service of the replacement Hunter class.
The effectiveness of Defence’s framework for sustaining the ANZAC classfrigates has been reduced because the sustainment plans and budget outlined in the ANZAC class Product Delivery Schedule in Navy’s Materiel Sustainment Agreement do not align with the frigates’ higher than expected operational use. Defence has been aware of this misalignment since at least 2012. Defence’s advice to the government to extend the ANZAC class’ life-of-type to 2043 was not based on a transition plan or informed by an analysis of the frigates’ physical capacity to deliver the required capability until then. Navy will need to address potential risks, relating to the frigates’ material condition, to maintain seaworthiness and capability.
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