Australia's ANZAC class frigates getting towed array sonars

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Australian Defence

ANZAC class frigates to get towed array sonar systems
By Julian Kerr | Sydney | 1 April 2021
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Some 16 to 21 years after commissioning, the RAN�s eight Anzac-class frigates are to be equipped with towed array sonar systems.
The first of the class, HMAS Anzac, was commissioned in 1996 and the latest, HMAS Perth, was commissioned in 2006. All eight ships were fitted for towed arrays but never received them, despite their role as the RAN�s main anti-submarine warfare (ASW) platform.
In a 21 March notification on the AusTender website, Defence said a Request for Information (RFI) would be released �within the month� in relation to Project Sea 1408, a consolidation of Sea 1408 Phase 3 Torpedo Self Defence and Project Sea 5014 Phase 2 Anzac Towed Array Sonar.
�The project seeks to identify and delivery new generation anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and torpedo self-defence (TSD) capability to the Royal Australian Navy surface fleet,� the notification stated.
�The introduction of the ASW improvements is to help maximise an individual ship�s ability to detect and defeat submarine and torpedo threats and improve platform survivability. Integration of these capabilities elements with the platform�s Combat Management System will be pursued to provide a networked system for maritime task groups,� the notification added.
The first of four capability elements would deliver what was described as a Depressed Towed Array Sonar to the Anzac-class to improve the submarine detection capability of the platform �as well as to enable development of ASW training, tactics and doctrine ahead of the introduction of the Hunter-class frigate.�
The three other capability elements would be delivered both to the Anzac-class and to the RAN�s three Hobart-class Air Warfare Destroyers, and would inform future integration of AWD/TSD systems and operations into the wider surface fleet.

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