Australian general purpose frigate program

	CGI rendering of the New FFM by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Class overview
Builders	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (3) Australian Marine Complex (8)
Operators	Royal Australian Navy (planned)
Preceded by	Anzac-class frigate
Built	From 2026 (planned)
In commission	From 2030 (planned)
Planned	11
Completed	0
General characteristics
Type	Frigate
Displacement	4,880 t (4,800 long tons) (standard); 6,200 t (6,100 long tons) (full load);
Length	Approx. 142 m (465 ft 11 in)
Beam	Approx. 17 m (55 ft 9 in)
Propulsion	CODAG setup:; 1 x Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine engine; 2 x diesel engines; Two shafts and screw propellers;
Speed	Over 30 kn (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Range	10,000 nmi (19,000 km; 12,000 mi) at economic speed
Complement	90 (with accommodation for up to 138)
Sensors &; processing systems	OPY-2 (X-band multi-purpose AESA radar); OYQ-1 (Combat management system); OYX-1-29 (Console display system); Advanced Tactical Data Links; Towed array sonar;
Electronic warfare; & decoys	NOLQ-3E (Passive radar system + Electronic attack capability is integrated into the main radar antenna)
Armament	Missiles:; 32-cell Mk41 VLS firing:; up to 128 RIM-162 ESSM; other sea-to-air and sea-to-surface missiles; 2 x 4-canister Naval Strike Missile launchers; 1 x 11-cell SeaRAM close-in-weapons system; Torpedoes:; 2 x 3-tube Mark 32 torpedo launchers for Mk54 LWTs; Guns:; 1 × 5"/62 caliber Mark 45 mod 4 main gun (127 mm);
Aircraft carried	1 x MH-60 Romeo Seahawk, VTOL UAVs
Aviation facilities	Helicopter flight deck; Enclosed hangar;
Notes	Can launch USVs and MCM UUVs

In February 2024, the Australian Government announced a program to acquire 11 general purpose frigates for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). These warships arose from the Surface Fleet Review, and along with the significantly larger Hunter-class frigates, will replace the Anzac-class frigates. The program is referred to as Project SEA 3000.

The new general purpose frigates are intended to be 'Tier 2 surface combatant' vessels that are less expensive and capable than the Hunter-class frigates and Hobart-class destroyers. They will be used to escort other vessels, provide air defence and conduct attacks against surface targets. Four suitable designs were identified by an independent panel, with the government selecting a winning design in August 2025: the Japanese Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' New FFM. Contracts will be confirmed and construction of the ships will commence in 2026. The first three of the frigates will be built in Japan, with the first ship completed by 2029. The remaining eight ships will be built in Australia at the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson, WA from 2030.