|
HISTORY
HMAS Arunta (FFH 151) is an Anzac class
frigate of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The ship, named for the
Arrernte people, was laid down in 1995 and commissioned in 1998.
Since entering service, Arunta has performed a wide range of duties,
including border protection patrols in northern Australian waters,
and several deployments to the Persian Gulf.
Operational history
In September 2001, Arunta deployed to northern Australian waters in
the wake of the Tampa affair. The ship participated in Operation
Gaberdine and Operation Relex in two separate deployments. During
the second deployment Arunta was involved in the interception and/or
return of Suspected Illegal Entry Vessels (SIEV) 6, 7, and 9.
In 2002, Arunta saw active service for the first time when she
participated as part of the third rotation of RAN ships to the
Persian Gulf as part of Operation Slipper. The ship was involved in
the enforcement of United Nations sanctions against Iraq, and at the
time operated closer to the Iraqi coast than any other ship of the
International Coalition Against Terrorism force.The ship's boarding
parties effected 377 boardings during her four months on station.
On 12 November 2007, Arunta deployed for her second tour of active
service in the Persian Gulf, as part of Operation Catalyst. The
ship's role was to contribute to the protection of Iraqi oil
platforms, security boardings of all vessels proceeding to the
platforms and training of the Iraqi Navy. The ship returned from
this deployment on 11 May 2008.
On 19 December 2008, Arunta was dispatched from Fremantle to rescue
injured yachtsman Yann Elies, who was participating in the Vendée
Globe, a solo round-the-world yacht race. Elies was stranded 1,480
kilometres (800 nmi; 920 mi) southwest of Perth, when his leg was
broken in heavy seas.
Following an overhaul of the RAN battle honours system, completed in
March 2010, Arunta was retroactively awarded the honour "Persian
Gulf 2001–02".
In June 2014, modifications to Arunta as part of the Anti-Ship
Missile Defence Project upgrade were completed. Arunta was the
second ship of the class to be upgraded, with the installation of a
CEAFAR Phased Array Radar and an upgraded SAAB Combat Management
System, among other modifications, during an 18-month refit. The
ship commenced post-refit sea trials at the end of June.
|
