The eighth ANZAC class frigate, the Ballarat, was launched at Tenix Defence's Williamstown dockyard on Saturday, May 25.

Melbourne biochemist, Dr Susanna Herd "named" the ship in honour of the original vessel, which served with distinction in the Pacific in World War II.

Dr Herd is the daughter of AB Robert Herd who served in HMAS Ballarat from November 11 1942 until July 20, 1943.

Managing Director of the Tenix Group, Mr Paul Salteri, said the success of the ANZAC ship project was testament to the quality of Australian workmanship and engineering ingenuity.

"The Tenix built ANZAC frigates have proven to be a sophisticated world-class vessel capable of meeting the operational and strategic needs of both the RAN and Royal New Zealand Navies," he said.

The project is a collaborative project between the Australian and New Zealand Governments for the development and construction of ten new guided missile frigates, eight for the RAN and two for the RNZN.

Tenix has delivered Anzac, Arunta and Warramunga to the RAN and Te Kaha and Te Mana to New Zealand.

Stuart has been undergoing sea trials and will be delivered to the RAN this month.

The Commonwealth awarded the ANZAC contract to Tenix in 1989.

The 17-year fixed price contract is currently worth about $A6 billion and is the largest and arguably most successful defence contract ever awarded in Australia.

The project is providing long-term benefits for the economies on both sides of the Tasman involving 1300 companies with 73 per cent local industry content and providing 8,000 jobs.

Ballarat will now be fitted out with sophisticated new combat and communications systems and hardware.

She is scheduled for delivery to the RAN in mid-2004.

By Graham Davis