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HISTORY
HMAS Perth (FFH 157) is an Anzac class frigate of
the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The last of the class to be
completed, she was built by Tenix Defence Systems and commissioned
into the RAN in 2006. In 2007, Perth became the first major warship
of the RAN to be commanded by a woman. During 2010 and 2011, the
frigate was used as the testbed for a major upgrade to the Anzac
class' ability to defend themselves from anti-ship missiles.
Operational history
In mid-2007, Commander Michele Miller became the first woman to
command a major RAN warship when she assumed command of Perth.
On 18 January 2010, Perth docked at the Australian Marine Complex in
Henderson, Western Australia to be modified under the Anti-Ship
Missile Defence Project.The upgrade, intended to improve the class'
anti-ship self-defence capability, included the fitting of CEA
Technologies' CEAFAR and CEAMOUNT phased array radars, a Vampir NG
Infrared Search and Track system, and Sharpeye Navigational Radar
Systems, along with improvements to the operations room equipment
and layout. Both of the frigate's masts were replaced; the top of
the aft mast now sits at 38.7 metres (127 ft), making Perth the
second-tallest ship in the RAN. Because of the added equipment,
additional ballast was added to improve the frigate's stability, and
the ship's quarterdeck was enclosed. The additional weight brought
the ship's full load displacement to 3,810 tons. After the upgrade
was completed in October 2010, Perth was used to trial the
modifications before they were rolled out to the rest of the
Australian Anzacs: alongside and harbour trials at HMAS Stirling
were successfully completed in February 2011, and full sea trials
began on 21 February. On 27 April, the frigate sailed to the east
coast of Australia to continue trials, with further testing to occur
at the United States Navy's Pacific Missile Range Facility, then
during Exercise Talisman Sabre. Testing was completed by July 2011,
and the rollout of the ASMD upgrade across the class was approved in
November 2011.
Perth visited Wellington, New Zealand, in April 2012, leaving
harbour on Thursday 26 April.
In October 2013, Perth participated in the International Fleet
Review 2013 in Sydney, Australia.
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