HMAS Ballarat (II)

HMAS Ballarat (FFH 155) is often cited as the class's most prolific Middle East deployer. Under Operation MANITOU, she specialized in protecting international shipping lanes. She is unique for her "Defend the Flag" motto and her transition to becoming a specialized Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) platform, often serving as the primary escort for the Canberra-class LHDs during high-end task group exercises.

The Anzac-class multi-role frigates were born from a collaborative project between Australia and New Zealand to replace the aging River and Leander classes. Based on the German MEKO 200 modular design, these vessels were constructed in Williamstown, Victoria, and serve as the long-standing "workhorse" of the Royal Australian Navy. While initially criticized for being "under-armed," the class has undergone extensive mid-life upgrades, most notably the Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) program. This overhaul integrated the Australian-designed CEAFAR phased-array radar, transforming the ships into some of the most capable air-defense frigates of their size. Their versatile design allows them to conduct a range of operations, from border protection and humanitarian aid to high-intensity maritime combat and naval gunfire support.

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