The Federal Government has selected UK-based BAE Systems to build Australia’s new frigates. BAE secured the $A35 billion contract ahead of Italy’s Fincantieri and Spanish company Navantia. The frigates will be known as the Hunter class and are expected to enter service in the late 2020s. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has indicated that the frigate program will create 4,000 jobs, while BAE has stated that the frigates will feature up to 70 per cent Australian content, The Australian Financial Review reported on 29 June 2018.
