Construction has commenced on the first Hunter Class Frigate at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide.

The momentous occasion was marked by the cutting of the first piece of steel by Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Premier of South Australia Peter Malinauskas on 21 June.

The announcement underpins the Australian Government’s commitment to continuous naval shipbuilding in South Australia and the promise to enhance Navy’s undersea warfare and strike capability.

The construction phase contract for the first three Hunter Class Frigates was signed by Defence and BAE Systems Australia, with the first warship earmarked for operation in 2034.

Construction of the Hunter Class Frigates is expected to run for 20 years, securing well-paid, direct employment opportunities for 3,000 workers in South Australia at its peak, and supporting a further 5,000 indirect jobs across the national supply chain.

These jobs are in addition to the thousands of skilled workers required to deliver on AUKUS submarines and extend the life of the Collins Class submarines in South Australia.

The Hunter Class Frigates are a key component of the Government’s commitment to ensure the Royal Australian Navy has a surface fleet with high levels of lethality and deterrence.