Defence: Frigates

Senator Johnston asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 13 August 2009:

For the period 1 January to 30 June 2009:
(a) which frigates were fully operational with a full crew complement; (b) for each frigate that was non-operational, what were the reasons for its non-operational status; (c) what were the operational strengths of the engineering officers and sailors on the frigates; and (d) what were the operational strengths of non-engineering officers and sailors on the frigates.

Senator Faulkner - The answer to the honourable senator’s question is as follows:

1. HMA Ships Ballarat, Warramunga, Parramatta (until March), Toowoomba (from February), and Arunta (from 19 June) were fully operational and fully crewed. HMA Ships Anzac, Stuart, Parramatta (from March), and Toowoomba (until February) were fully operational with managed crewing gaps commensurate with their scheduled activities.
   
   HMA Ships Sydney, Darwin and Melbourne were at a lower level of operational readiness with managed crewing gaps conducting the Northern Trident deployment (Sydney), FFG Upgrade trials, and training activities (Darwin and Melbourne).
2. HMAS Perth was non operational for the period, conducting preparations for Anti Ship Missile Defence upgrade. HMAS Newcastlewas non operational for the period, undergoing modifications and trials associated with the FFG Upgrade program. HMAS Arunta was non operational until late June as part of a planned initiative to recover Anzac class shortages of Technical Sailors.
3. Average operational strength of engineer officers over the period was 96 per cent and operational strength of engineer sailors was 95 per cent. 
4. Average operational strength of non-engineer officers was 93 per cent and non-engineer sailors was 92 per cent.

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