HMAS Warramunga (II)
Status |
Anzac Midlife Capability Assurance Program (AMCAP) Upgrade |
---|---|
Class |
Anzac |
Type | |
Role | Long-range frigate capable of air defence, surface and undersea warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction. |
Pennant |
FFH 152 |
International Callsign |
VKLD |
Motto |
Courage in Difficulties |
Home Port | |
Builder |
Tenix Defence Systems |
Laid Down |
26 July 1997 |
Launched |
23 May 1998 |
Commissioned |
31 March 2001 |
Dimensions & Displacement | |
Displacement | 3600 tonnes |
Length | 118 metres |
Beam | 14.8 metres |
Draught | 4.5 metres |
Performance | |
Speed | 27 knots |
Range | 6000 nautical miles |
Complement | |
Crew | 177 |
Propulsion | |
Machinery |
|
Armament | |
Missiles |
|
Guns |
|
Torpedoes | 2 x Mk32 Mod 5 triple mounted torpedo tubes |
Physical Countermeasures |
|
Electronic Countermeasures |
|
Radars |
|
Sonars |
|
Combat Data Systems | Saab Systems 9LV453 Mk3E |
Electro-optic Systems |
|
Helicopters | 1 x MH-60R Seahawk |
Awards | |
Inherited Battle Honours | |
Battle Honours | MIDDLE EAST 2003-2014 |
Resources | |
Datasheet | |
News Articles | |
Image Gallery |

HMAS Warramunga (II) is the third of eight Anzac class frigates built by Tenix Defence Systems at Williamstown, Victoria for the Royal Australian Navy. The design is based on the German Meko 200 frigate.
Warramunga is a long-range frigate capable of air defence, surface and undersea warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction. Warramunga's combat capabilities have been significantly improved under the Anti-Ship Missile Defence upgrade program, a world class program that provides an enhanced sensor and weapons systems capability. The upgrade showcases Australian design and integration capability, with new Phased Array Radar technology designed by CEA Technologies in Canberra, upgrades to combat systems performed by Saab Systems in South Australia, and platform integration design by BAE Systems in Victoria.
Warramunga is fitted with an advanced package of air and surface surveillance radars; omni-directional hull mounted sonar and electronic support systems that interface with the state-of-the-art 9LV453 Mk3E combat data system. The ship can counter simultaneous threats from aircraft, surface vessels and submarines.
The ship's main armament comprises one Mark 45 capable of firing 20 rounds per minute, ship launched Mark 46 torpedoes and a Mark 41 vertical launch system for the Evolved Sea Sparrow missile. Warramunga also has eight anti-ship/land attach canister launched harpoon missiles and a vertical launch system for the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile. The ship's other defence systems include the Nulka active missile decoy system, offboard chaff and a torpedo countermeasures system.
HMAS Warramunga, like her sister frigates HMA Ships Anzac, Arunta, Ballarat, Parramatta, Stuart and Toowoomba features a "combined diesel or gas" (CODOG) propulsion plant which enables the ship to sustain sprint speeds of greater than 27 knots and allows an operational range in excess of 6,000 nautical miles at 18 knots.
The ship can embark Navy's latest multi-role Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin MH-60R Seahawk helicopter which has enhanced anti-submarine, anti-surface warfare and Search and Rescue capabilities. Embarkation of a helicopter also provides the ship with the capability to deliver air-launched missiles and torpedoes.
HMAS Warramunga is the second ship to bear the same name in the Royal Australian Navy. HMAS Warramunga (I) was the second of three Australian built Tribal class destroyers. She served with distinction in WWII with the US 7th Fleet in the Pacific, the Korean campaign, the Malayan Insurgency and with the United Nations Forces in Korea. The following battle honours have been awarded to Warramunga (I): Pacific 1943-1945, New Guinea 1943-1944, Leyte Gulf 1944 (Philippines), Lingayen Gulf 1945 (Philippines) and Korea 1950-1952.
The Warramunga name is derived from the Warramunga (also spelt Warumungu) Aboriginal people from the Tennant Creek area and the ship's badge depicts a fearsome Warumungu tribesman about to throw a boomerang. The blue and yellow background represents the sky and a desert hillside.
The motto "Courage in Difficulties" honours the Warumungu tribe's life of courage in their harsh environment as well as the Second World War Tribal Class Destroyer, HMAS Warramunga (I).
HMAS Warramunga is currently undergoing the Anzac Mid-Life Capability Assurance Program (AMCAP) upgrade at the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson, Western Australia. The upgrade is being performed by the Warship Asset Management Agreement (WAMA) Alliance and will include the replacement of the Long Range Air search radar, IFF (Identification, Friend or Foe) and secondary surveillance radar capabilities. Anzac will also undergo a platform systems obsolescence program to improve platform reliability and maintainability. Work will also be done to improve the ship’s habitability for the crew. Also, an upgrade to the ship’s communications systems will resolve a number of obsolescence issues.
Middle East Region Deployments
Contributing to stable, rules-based global security is one of Australia's national objectives. Since 1990, the Royal Australian Navy has conducted maritime security operations in the Middle East region (MER), which remains strategically important to Australia's economic and trade interests.
Ship | Rotation No | Year | Operation |
---|---|---|---|
HMAS Warramunga (II) | 66 | 2017/2018 | Operation MANITOU |
HMAS Warramunga (II) | 44 | 2009 | Operation SLIPPER |
HMAS Warramunga (II) | 37 | 2006/2007 | Operation CATALYST |