Born from a diplomatic rift, the Anzac-class frigate redefined trans-Tasman naval cooperation.
In short: In the 1980s, New Zealand's nuclear-free policy fractured its security ties with the United States. Seeking new alliances, Wellington turned to Australia for a joint warship project. The resulting Anzac-class frigates became a symbol of regional interoperability, despite intense domestic controversy and debates over the true cost of blue-water naval power.
The Anzac-class project emerged from a 1987 memorandum of understanding between Australia and New Zealand. Both nations needed to replace aging fleets—Australia’s River-class destroyer escorts and New Zealand’s Leander-class frigates. By selecting a modified German MEKO 200 design, the project aimed to balance high-capability requirements with budget constraints. The contract, awarded to AMECON in 1989, was the largest defence deal in Australian history at the time, valued at A$5 billion.
The ships were designed for modularity, allowing construction across multiple sites in Williamstown, Newcastle, and Whangārei. Each 3,600-tonne vessel features a combined diesel or gas (CODOG) propulsion system, enabling a top speed of 27 knots and a range of 6,000 nautical miles at 18 knots. While initially fitted with a 5-inch gun and Sea Sparrow missiles, the design included significant 'fitted for but not with' capacity, allowing for later upgrades to torpedo systems and electronic warfare suites.
The acquisition was deeply divisive in New Zealand. Critics argued the frigates were overspecialised, too few in number for effective fisheries protection, and a drain on national resources. Some even proposed inferior engines to prevent the ships from operating with the United States Navy. Despite this, the project proceeded as a litmus test for regional security commitments. While Australia operated eight ships and New Zealand two, the frigates have since seen service in diverse operational theaters, from East Timor to the Persian Gulf, proving their relevance long after the initial political turbulence of the 1980s.
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