HMAS Perth (FFH-157)

not to be confused with HMAS Perth (D29) or HMAS Perth (D 38)

HMAS Perth

**HMAS *Perth* (FFH 157)** is an *Anzac*-class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The last ship of the class to be completed, she was built by Tenix Defence 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-defense 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 *Anzac*s: 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.

In October 2013, *Perth* participated in the International Fleet Review 2013 in Sydney.

During February and March 2015, an MH-60R Seahawk Romeo helicopter from 725 Squadron RAN was embarked aboard *Perth* for at-sea trials of the new helicopter.

In June 2016 *Perth* was deployed to the Middle East Region on *Operation Manitou* as part of the coalition taskforce to stop criminal activities such as piracy and drug trafficking. *Perth* was the Royal Australian Navy's 63rd ship rotation since 1991.

In 2017 the Navy decided to place *Perth* in 'extended readiness' from December that year as it was unable to crew the vessel. From late 2018, *Perth* underwent the Anzac-class frigate Midlife Capability Assurance Program (AMCAP) upgrade at the Australian Marine Complex, Henderson, Western Australia. In 2019 it was reported that *Perth* would not re-enter service until 2021 as the Navy still did not have enough sailors to form a crew. The crew of HMAS *Arunta* were transferred to *Perth* in early 2021, and the ship was scheduled to begin sea trials following the upgrades in June that year.