Photo of the day: HMAS Anzac celebrates 20th birthday at sea

Sailors aboard the Royal Australian Navy’s frigate HMAS Anzac formed the number 20 on the flight deck to mark the ship’s 20th Birthday at sea during the South East Asia Deployment 2016.

The lead ship of the Anzac class of frigates was launched on September 16, 1994 and commissioned May 18, 1996.

Tennix Defence Systems (now BAE Systems) was responsible for the construction of the 118-meter ships for the RAN.

HMAS Anzac and her crew of 191 personnel are currently deployed to South-East Asia to participate in a number of exercises and activities including Exercise Komodo, Bersama Shield and Indonesian Fleet Review.

The ship most recently visited the Philippines where it participated with the Philippine Navy’s BRP Rajah Humabon in the waters off the Philippines, conducting passage exercises, ship handling operations and personnel exchanges.

Anzac is fitted with an advance package of air surveillance radars, hull mounted sonar and electronic support systems that interface with state-of-the-art Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles and Ship Launched Torpedoes. The ship can embark a multi-role Seahawk helicopter to enhance 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 torpedoes.

Anzac was the third Anzac Class Frigate to complete the anti-ship missile defense upgrade program in 2014 which provided her with an enhanced sensor and weapons systems capability. The upgrade includes the addition of a ‘cupola’ mast to house the CEA Phased Array Radar, upgrades and maintenance of combat, propulsion and electrical systems and painting in the new Royal Australian Navy ‘haze grey’ coat of paint.

The upgrade was initiated by the Australian government in 2007 and is now close to being completed as the last frigate in the class was recently docked to undergo the refit.