Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Anzac-class frigate HMAS Parramatta has been undocked at the BAE Systems Henderson shipyard, Western Australia, marking a major milestone in the Anzac Midlife Capability Assurance Program (AMCAP).
Acting Commanding Officer Parramatta Lieutenant Commander David Ward said the undocking process required meticulous planning and coordination between defense and industry.
This achievement signals that the long-running upgrade program is approaching its final stages.
“Undocking is a complicated process. Moving a vessel that is 118m long, nearly 15m wide and that weighs 3800 tonnes requires precise planning, flawless communication and a single mental model,” Lieutenant Commander Ward said.
“After three years in production, the undocking seems like a minor event in the AMCAP project, but it is the visible metaphor of the work that Defence and industry do every day to achieve capability together.”
Commenced in 2018, AMCAP has delivered critical capability upgrades aimed at extending the operational life of Navy’s Anzac-class frigates into the next decade.
The program has delivered a number of system enhancements, including the installation of the CEAFAR L-band long-range air search radar, improved communication systems and various essential platform upgrades.
The upgrades are delivered through the Warship Asset Management Agreement – an alliance of BAE Systems Australia, Saab Australia, Babcock and the Commonwealth of Australia.
This current upgrade ensures Parramatta remains capable of meeting its operational requirements in this evolving strategic environment, including Naval Strike Missile, ESSM Block-2 surface-to-air missile, and communications and sensor upgrades.
Parramatta will now complete the ‘in-water’ phase of the AMCAP project before conducting sea trials and certification in early 2026.
After these trials, the ship will return to full operational service.
HMS Parramatta was laid down in 1999, launched in 2003, and commissioned into the RAN in 2003. During its career, the frigate has been deployed to the Middle East on several occasions. In early 2015, the vessel was docked to undergo the AMCAP.