HMAS Perth (III)

As the final ship constructed (FFH 157), HMAS Perth was the primary testbed for the CEAFAR radar system. Because she was the first to prove this technology worked in a live environment, she paved the way for the entire class's modernization. Historically, she also became the first major RAN warship to be commanded by a woman in 2007.

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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