{{Short description|Anzac-class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy}} {{other ships|HMAS Stuart}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}} {{Use Australian English|date=May 2011}} {{Infobox ship |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = HMAS Stuart FBE 2014.JPG | image_caption = HMAS ''Stuart'' in 2014 }}
|section2={{Infobox ship/career | country = Australia | flag = {{shipboxflag|Australia|naval}} | namesake = | builder = Tenix Defence | laid_down = 25 July 1998 | launched = 17 April 1999 | commissioned = 17 August 2002 | recommissioned = | decommissioned = | homeport = Fleet Base West | motto = "Always Prepared" | nickname = "The Tartan Terror" | honours = Eight inherited battle honours | status = Active as of 2023 | notes = | badge = }}
|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics | class = ''Anzac''-class frigate | displacement = 3,600 tonnes full load | length = {{convert|118|m|ft|abbr=on}} | beam = {{convert|15|m|ft|abbr=on}} | draught = {{convert|4|m|ft|abbr=on}} | propulsion = *1 × General Electric LM 2500 gas turbine providing 30,000 hp (22.5 mW) *2 × MTU 12v 1163 TB83 diesels providing 8,840 hp (6.5 mW) | speed = {{convert|27|kn}} | range = {{convert|6000|nmi}} at {{convert|18|kn}} | complement = approximately 170 sailors | sensors = *'''Sonars''': Thomson Sintra Spherion B Mod 5; hull-mounted; active search and attack; medium frequency. Provision for towed array *'''Air search radar''': Raytheon AN/SPS-49(V)8 ANZ (C/D-band) *'''Surface search radar''': CelsiusTech 9LV 453 TIR (Ericsson Tx/Rx) (G-band) *'''Navigation''': Atlas Elektronik 9600 ARPA (I-band) | EW = *'''ESM''': Racal modified Sceptre A (radar intercept), Telefunken PST-1720 Telegon 10 (comms intercept) *'''Countermeasures''': Decoys: G & D Aircraft SRBOC Mk 36 Mod 1 decoy launchers for SRBOC | armament = *'''Guns and missiles''': 1 × 5 in/54 (127 mm) Mk 45 Mod 2 gun, various machine guns and small arms, 2 × 4 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, Mk 41 Mod 5 VLS for Sea Sparrow and Evolved Sea Sparrow *'''Torpedoes''': 2 × triple 324 mm Mk 32 Mod 5 tubes *'''Fire control''': CelsiusTech 9LV 453 (J-band) *'''Combat data systems''': CelsiusTech 9LV 453 Mk 3.Link 11 *'''Weapons control''': CelsiusTech 9LV 453 optronic director with Raytheon CW Mk 73 Mod 1 | aircraft = 1 × Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk | notes = }} }} '''HMAS ''Stuart'' (FFH 153)''' is an ''Anzac''-class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). She was built at Williamstown in Victoria, and commissioned into the RAN in 2002. The frigate is operational as of 2025.
==Design and construction== {{main|Anzac-class frigate}} The ''Anzac'' class originated from RAN plans to replace the six River-class destroyer escorts with a mid-capability patrol frigate.<ref name=Jones244 /><ref>{{harvnb|Fairall-Lee|2007|page=336}}</ref><ref name=GrazebrookSail>{{cite journal|last=Grazebrook|first=A.W.|date=1 November 1996|title=Anzac frigates sail diverging courses|journal=Jane's Navy International|publisher=Jane's Information Group|volume=101|issue=9}}</ref> The Australian shipbuilding industry was thought to be incapable of warship design, so the RAN decided to take a proven foreign design and modify it.<ref name=Jones244/><ref name=GrazebrookSail/> Around the same time, the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) was looking to replace four ''Leander''-class frigates; a deterioration in New Zealand-United States relations, the need to improve alliances with nearby nations, and the commonalities between the RAN and RNZN ships' requirements led the two nations to begin collaborating on the acquisition in 1987.<ref name=Greener239 /><ref name=Jones245 /> Tenders were requested by the Anzac Ship Project at the end of 1986, with 12 ship designs (including an airship) submitted.<ref name=Jones244/><ref name=Greener30 /> By August 1987, the tenders were narrowed down in October to Blohm + Voss's MEKO 200 design, the M class (later ''Karel Doorman'' class) offered by Royal Schelde, and a scaled-down Type 23 frigate proposed by Yarrow Shipbuilders.<ref name=Jones245/><ref name=Greener31 /> In 1989, the Australian government announced that Melbourne-based shipbuilder AMECON (which became Tenix Defence) would build the modified MEKO 200 design.<ref name=GrazebrookSail /><ref name=Jones245/><ref name=Greener31 /> The Australians ordered eight ships, while New Zealand ordered two, with an unexercised option for two more.<ref name=Wertheim20 /><ref name=Greener434 />
The ''Anzac''s are based on Blohm + Voss' MEKO 200 PN (or ''Vasco da Gama''-class) frigates, modified to meet Australian and New Zealand specifications and maximise the use of locally built equipment.<ref name=Wertheim201 /><ref name=GrazebrookSail/> Each frigate has a {{convert|3600|t|adj=on}} full load displacement.<ref name=Sharpe25.470 /> The ships are {{convert|109|m}} long at the waterline, and {{convert|118|m}} long overall, with a beam of {{convert|14.8|m}}, and a full load draught of {{convert|4.35|m}}.<ref name=Sharpe25.470/> A Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion machinery layout is used, with a single, {{convert|30172|hp|adj=on}} General Electric LM2500-30 gas turbine and two {{convert|8840|hp|adj=on}} MTU 12V1163 TB83 diesel engines driving the ship's two controllable-pitch propellers.<ref name=Sharpe25.470/><ref name=GrazebrookSail/> Maximum speed is {{convert|27|kn}}, and maximum range is over {{convert|6000|nmi}} at {{convert|18|kn}}; about 50% greater than other MEKO 200 designs.<ref name=Sharpe25.470/><ref name=GrazebrookSail/><ref name=Wertheim21 /> The standard ship's company of an ''Anzac'' consists of 22 officers and 141 sailors.<ref name=Sharpe25.470/>
As designed, the main armament for the frigate is a 5-inch 54 calibre Mark 45 gun, supplemented by an eight-cell Mark 41 vertical launch system (for RIM-7 Sea Sparrow or RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles), two {{convert|12.7|mm|adj=on}} machine guns, and two Mark 32 triple torpedo tube sets (initially firing Mark 46 torpedoes, but later upgraded to use the MU90 Impact torpedo).<ref name=Sharpe25.470/><ref name=GrazebrookSail/><ref name=FishGrevatt>Fish & Grevatt, ''Australia's HMAS Toowoomba test fires MU90 torpedo''</ref> They were also designed for but not with a Mark 15 Phalanx close-in weapons system (two Mini Typhoons fitted when required from 2005 onwards), two quad-canister Harpoon anti-ship missile launchers (which were installed across the RAN vessels from 2005 onwards), and a second 8-cell Mark 41 VLS (which has not been added).<ref name=GrazebrookSail/><ref name=Scott05>Scott, ''Updating ANZACs to meet changed strategic posture''</ref><ref name=ScottEnhanced>Scott, ''Enhanced small-calibre systems offer shipborne stopping power''</ref> The Australian ''Anzac''s used a single Sikorsky S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopter; plans to replace them with Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprites were cancelled in 2008 due to ongoing problems.<ref name=GrazebrookSail/><ref name=Grevatt>Grevatt, ''Australia cancels troubled Super Seasprite programme''</ref><ref name=Forbes>Forbes, ''How a helicopter deal flew into trouble''</ref> Instead, the S-70B-2 was replaced with the Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk by late 2017.
''Stuart'' was laid down at Williamstown, Victoria on 25 July 1998.<ref name=Wertheim20 /> The ship was assembled from six hull modules and six superstructure modules; the superstructure modules were fabricated in Whangarei, New Zealand, and hull modules were built at both Williamstown and Newcastle, New South Wales, with final integration at Williamstown.<ref name=GrazebrookSail/> She was launched on 17 April 1999<ref name=Wertheim20 /> by the wife of Admiral Chris Barrie, the Chief of the Defence Force,{{citation needed|date=October 2011}} and commissioned into the RAN on 17 August 2002.<ref name=Wertheim20 />
==Operational history== {{Main|Pong Su incident}} In April 2003, ''Stuart'' was used to capture ''Pong Su'', a North Korean-owned freighter involved in drug smuggling operations.<ref name=CornfordMalkin>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/04/20/1050777165981.html|title=Drug chase ends in sea capture|last=Cornford|first=Philip |author2=Malkin, Bonnie |work=The Age|date=21 April 2003|access-date=29 October 2011}}</ref> Several people were arrested ashore as part of an Australian Federal Police operation on 16 April, but ''Pong Su'' refused police orders to sail to the nearest port.<ref name=CornfordMalkin/> A New South Wales Police launch attempted to detain the ship, off Eden, New South Wales on 18 April, but was unable to do so because of heavy seas.<ref name=CornfordMalkin/> ''Stuart'' was deployed to board and capture the merchantman after scrounging sailors from other ships to make up for those on leave for the Easter weekend, embarking a Seahawk helicopter, and taking onboard special forces personnel from the Special Air Service Regiment and the Clearance Diving Team.<ref name=CornfordMalkin/> Accompanied by two police launches, ''Stuart'' intercepted ''Pong Su'' {{convert|90|nmi}} off Sydney on 20 April.<ref name=CornfordMalkin/> The special forces successfully boarded the ship, and she was sailed to Sydney by a RAN steaming party.<ref name=CornfordMalkin/>
In 2004, ''Stuart'' was deployed to the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Catalyst. On 24 April, ''Stuart'', the patrol boat {{USS|Firebolt|PC-10|6}}, and the cruiser {{USS|Yorktown|CG-48|6}} were patrolling around the Al Başrah Oil Terminal (ABOT) and Khor Al Amaya Oil Terminal (KAAOT), with ''Stuart''{{'}}s commanding officer in tactical control of the two American warships.<ref name=Shovell>{{cite news |url=http://www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/editions/4710/feature/feature01.htm |title=Terror in the Gulf |last=Shovell |first=Damian |date=17 June 2004 |work=Navy News |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |access-date=9 November 2012}}</ref> Around 19:00, a dhow sailed into the KAAOT security zone.<ref name=Shovell/> ''Firebolt'' sent a RHIB to board the dhow and order the vessel away, but as the RHIB drew alongside, the dhow exploded.<ref name=Shovell/> ''Stuart'', {{convert|4.1|nmi}} away, began sailing to assist, while the Australian ship's S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopter, {{convert|6|nmi}} away diverted to the explosion site.<ref name=Shovell/> The Seahawk and a RHIB from ''Stuart'' began assisting survivors from ''Firebolt''{{'}}s boarding party; after experiencing difficulty in handling the injured Americans, the Seahawk's sensor operator dived into the water to assist.<ref name=Shovell/> Casualties were brought aboard ''Firebolt'', then transferred by helicopter and boat to ''Stuart''.<ref name=Shovell/> Meanwhile, two more dhows attempted to attack ABOT—the explosion of the first dhow was the prelude to a coordinated attack on the oil terminal—but were fended off by the facility's Iraqi security team and detonated before reaching their targets.<ref name=Shovell/> Three of the seven personnel aboard ''Firebolt''{{'}}s RHIB were killed, and the other four were seriously injured.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.stripes.com/news/suicide-bombing-attack-claims-first-coast-guardsman-since-vietnam-war-1.19271 |title=Suicide bombing attack claims first Coast Guardsman since Vietnam War |last=Helmer |first=Kendra |date=27 April 2004 |work=Stars and Stripes|publisher=United States Armed Forces |access-date=9 November 2012}}</ref> The Seahawk's sensor operator was later awarded the Medal for Gallantry for his actions during the incident.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2009/May/20090507a/index.htm |title=Navy Aircrewman Honoured at NSW Government House |date=7 May 2009 |work=Image Gallery: May 2009 |publisher=Department of Defence |access-date=9 November 2012}}</ref> [[File:HMAS Stuart FFH 153.jpg|thumb|left|''Stuart'' arriving at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in 2006 shortly before participating in that year's RIMPAC training exercise]]
In February 2006, fire broke out about {{HMNZS|Te Mana|F111|6}}, ''Stuart''{{'}}s sister ship, during an exercise off the coast of Australia. ''Te Mana''{{'}}s Seasprite helicopter was diverted to ''Stuart'', while the fire was put out by the crew.<ref name=NZfire>{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=123&objectid=10374640|title=Sailors fought fire at sea on Anzac warship|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=27 March 2006 |access-date=6 November 2011}}</ref>
On the morning of 13 March 2009, ''Stuart'' was one of seventeen warships involved in a ceremonial fleet entry and fleet review in Sydney Harbour, the largest collection of RAN ships since the Australian Bicentenary in 1988.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://digital.realviewtechnologies.com/default.aspx?xml=defencenews_navy.xml&iid=23701|title=Marching into History|last=Brooke|first=Michael|work=Navy News|page=11|publisher=Department of Defence|date=2 April 2009|access-date=6 November 2011}}</ref> The frigate was one of the thirteen ships involved in the ceremonial entry through Sydney Heads, and anchored in the harbour for the review.
On 22 March 2011, while operating off Somalia as part of Combined Task Force 151, ''Stuart'' machine-gunned an unmanned skiff being towed by MV ''Sinar Kudus'', a hijacked cargo carrier operating as a pirate mother ship.<ref name=Oakes26Mar11>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/navy-takes-its-first-shot-at-pirates-20110325-1c9yl.html|title=Navy takes its first shot at pirates|last=Oakes|first=Dan|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=26 March 2011|access-date=6 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eunavfor.eu/2011/03/mv-sinar-kudus-is-pirated-in-the-north-arabian-sea-and-is-almost-immediately-used-as-a-mothership|title=MV SINAR KUDUS is pirated in the North Arabian Sea and is almost immediately used as a mothership|publisher=European Union Naval Force Somalia|date=17 March 2011|access-date=6 November 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105064734/http://www.eunavfor.eu/2011/03/mv-sinar-kudus-is-pirated-in-the-north-arabian-sea-and-is-almost-immediately-used-as-a-mothership/|archive-date=5 November 2011}}</ref> The skiff was destroyed.<ref name=Oakes26Mar11/> This was the first time an Australian warship had fired in anger at Somali pirates.<ref name=Oakes26Mar11/>
On 11 April 2011, ''Stuart'' interdicted the Yemeni-flagged dhow named ''Al Shahar 75''. A boarding party from the frigate rescued three crew members being held hostage, while the fifteen Somali pirates, who had surrendered as ''Stuart'' approached, were allowed to return to their skiff and sail to shore after their weapons and equipment were disposed of.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.defence.gov.au/defencenews/stories/2011/apr/0415.htm|title=Australian Navy rescues hostages off Somalia|date=15 April 2011|work=Defence News|publisher=Department of Defence (Australia)|access-date=4 July 2015}}</ref>
In October 2013, ''Stuart'' participated in the International Fleet Review 2013 in Sydney.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/ifr/participants/warships |title=Participating Warships |date=2013 |work=International Fleet Review 2013 website |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210092404/http://www.navy.gov.au/ifr/participants/warships |archive-date=10 December 2013 |access-date=14 December 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
In November 2014, ''Stuart'' and sister ship {{HMAS|Parramatta|FFH 154|2}} were deployed to shadow a Russian naval force operating in international waters off Australia during the 2014 G-20 Brisbane summit.<ref name=troubledwaters>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/in-depth/troubled-waters-as-russians-send-warships/story-fnpebfcn-1227121141676 |title=Troubled waters as Russians send warships |last=Nicholson |first=Brendan |author2=Martin, Sarah |author3=Markson, Sharri |author3-link=Sharri Markson |date=13 November 2014 |work=The Australian Business Review |access-date=13 November 2014}}</ref> The Russian deployment was believed to be in response to troubled recent relationships between the two nations.<ref name=troubledwaters/>
''Stuart'' is the last ship of the ''Anzac'' class to undergo the Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) upgrade.<ref name=NavalTechnology3Sep15>{{cite news |url=http://www.naval-technology.com/news/newsbae-completes-anti-ship-missile-defence-upgrade-of-hmas-ballarat-4662569 |title=BAE completes anti-ship missile defence upgrade of HMAS Ballarat |date=3 September 2015 |work=naval-technology.com |publisher=Kable |access-date=9 September 2015}}</ref> The upgrade will include the fitting of CEA Technologies' CEAFAR and CEAMOUNT phased array radars on new masts, a Vampir NG Infrared Search and Track system, and Sharpeye Navigational Radar Systems, along with improvements to the operations room equipment and layout.<ref name=thenavy16.17>{{cite journal |date=April 2010 |title=ASMD Upgrade commences on Perth |journal=The Navy |publisher=The Navy League of Australia |volume=72 |issue=2 |pages=16–17}}</ref> Work commenced in early 2016, and is due to be completed by 2017.<ref name=NavalTechnology3Sep15/>
HMAS ''Stuart'' joined KDB ''Darulehsan'', HMAS ''Sirius'', USS ''Rafael Peralta'' and RSS ''Supreme'' on their way to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in preparation for RIMPAC 2020 on 6 August. RIMPAC 2020 will scheduled to start on 17 August.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Milne|first=Sandy|date=2020-08-05|title=RAN commences exercises with warships from Singapore, Brunei|url=https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/maritime-antisub/6581-ran-commences-exercises-with-warships-from-singapore-brunei|access-date=2020-08-07|website=www.defenceconnect.com.au|language=en}}</ref>
The ship participated in Exercise Malabar 2024 which was held from 8 to 18 October.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-18 |title=CLOSING CEREMONY OF MALABAR 2024 |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2066287 |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=Press Information Bureau}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|30em|refs= <ref name=Jones244>{{harvnb|Jones|2001|page=244}}</ref> <ref name=Jones245>{{harvnb|Jones|2001|page=245}}</ref> <ref name=Greener239>{{harvnb|Greener|2009|pages=23–9}}</ref> <ref name=Greener30>{{harvnb|Greener|2009|page=30}}</ref> <ref name=Greener31>{{harvnb|Greener|2009|page=31}}</ref> <ref name=Greener434>{{harvnb|Greener|2009|pages=43–4}}</ref> <ref name=Wertheim20>{{harvnb|Wertheim|2007|page=20}}</ref> <ref name=Wertheim201>{{harvnb|Wertheim|2007|pages=20–1}}</ref> <ref name=Wertheim21>{{harvnb|Wertheim|2007|page=21}}</ref> <ref name=Sharpe25.470>{{harvnb|JIG|1998|pages=25, 470}}</ref> }}
;Books * {{cite book|last1=Fairall-Lee|first1=Sam|author2=Miller, Kate|author3=Murphy, David|title=Sea Power: Challenges Old and New|editor=Andrew Forbes |publisher=Halstead Press|location=Ultimo, NSW|year=2007|chapter=The Royal Australian Navy in 2030|isbn=978-1-920831-44-8|ref={{harvid|Fairall-Lee|2007}} }} * {{cite book|last=Greener|first=Peter|title=Timing is everything: the politics and processes of New Zealand defence acquisition decision making|publisher=ANU E Press|series=Canberra Papers on Strategy and Defence|volume=173|location=Canberra, ACT|year=2009|isbn=978-1-921536-65-6|url=http://epress.anu.edu.au/timing_citation.html|access-date=1 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110407100508/http://epress.anu.edu.au/timing_citation.html|archive-date=7 April 2011|url-status=dead}} * {{cite book|last=Jones|first=Peter|editor=Stevens, David|title=The Royal Australian Navy|series=The Australian Centenary History of Defence (vol III)|year=2001|publisher=Oxford University Press|chapter=A Period of Change and Uncertainty|location=South Melbourne, VIC|isbn=0-19-555542-2|oclc=50418095}} * {{cite book|title=Jane's Fighting Ships 1998–99|last=JIG<!-- used per recommendation at Template:harvnb -->|editor=Sharpe, Richard |publisher=Jane's Information Group|location=Coulsdon, Surrey|year=1998|edition=101st|isbn=0-7106-1795-X|oclc=39372676}} * {{cite book|title=The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems|last=Wertheim|first=Eric|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, MD|year=2007|edition=15th|isbn=978-1-59114-955-2|oclc=140283156|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TJunjRvplU4C}}
{{Commons category|HMAS Stuart (FFH 153)}}
{{Anzac class frigate}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stuart, HMAS}} Category:Anzac-class frigates of the Royal Australian Navy Category:Naval ships of Australia Category:1999 ships Category:Military Units in Western Australia