Ultra Maritime has been awarded a key contract by BAE Systems Maritime Australia to provide advanced torpedo defense technologies for the Royal Australian Navy’s upcoming Hunter-class frigates. The deal covers the supply of the Surface Ship Torpedo Defence (SSTD) system, a critical capability designed to protect warships from underwater threats.
The SSTD system combines a single in-line towed array with an automated threat-alert feature that detects and counters incoming torpedoes. Its advanced processing algorithms help minimize false alarms while reducing crew workload, ensuring rapid and accurate threat response. Ultra Maritime will deliver and support the system from its Adelaide facility in South Australia, blending local manufacturing with decades of expertise in undersea warfare to boost Australia’s sovereign maritime defense capabilities.
The contract builds on earlier success for Ultra Maritime, whose 2150 hull-mounted bow sonar was selected earlier this year for integration into the Hunter-class frigates. Together, the sonar and SSTD form the backbone of the ships’ anti-submarine warfare suite, which is based on BAE Systems’ Global Combat Ship design. This design framework is also being used by allied navies in the UK, Canada, and Norway, creating a high level of interoperability among partner nations.
The Hunter-class program will see six next-generation frigates built at Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia. Based on the UK’s Type 26 design, each 8,200-ton warship will feature multi-mission capability, focusing primarily on anti-submarine warfare while also supporting air defense, surface strike, and humanitarian missions. Each vessel will carry a crew of 183 and can accommodate up to 208 personnel. Equipped with the Aegis combat system integrated with Saab Australia’s locally developed interface, the fleet is scheduled to enter service in the early 2030s, strengthening Australia’s naval deterrence and regional presence.
