8 May 2025
The Royal Australian Navy has hosted the 2025 Global Combat Ship (GCS) User Group meeting at the Maritime Combat Systems Integration Centre in St Kilda, Adelaide.
The forum in April brought together naval representatives from Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada to discuss advancements, risks and shared challenges across the GCS program.
Director Future Surface Combatants Captain Danielle Radnidge said the RAN’s role in the forum reflected Australia’s strong commitment to enhancing maritime capabilities through international cooperation and innovation.
“Australia’s participation in the GCS program is central to the success of the Hunter-class frigate – the Navy’s next generation of warships,” Captain Radnidge said.
The GCS is the reference design for the Hunter-class, as well as the Royal Canadian Navy’s future River-class destroyer, which are based on the UK’s Type 26 Reference Ship Design.
Currently under construction by BAE Systems Maritime Australia (BAESMA) at Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia, the Hunter-class frigates are purpose-built for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and will feature world-class systems, including the Aegis combat system, CEAFAR2 radar and advanced sonar capabilities.
“The integration of these technologies into a Tier 1 warship will ensure the RAN remains a powerful and agile force within the Indo-Pacific region, capable of meeting evolving threats and maintaining maritime security,” Captain Radnidge said.
'The capability the Hunter-class will bring is set to transform the Navy’s Anti-submarine Warfare capacity.'
In addition to discussions about shipbuilding practices, workforce generation, capability transition and enhancing operational readiness, the week also included two days of government-to-government briefings, followed by two days of industry engagement with shipbuilders BAE Systems, BAESMA and Irving Shipbuilding.
Captain Radnidge said that beyond shipbuilding, Australia’s engagement in multinational defence initiatives strengthened security, reinforced strategic partnerships, and demonstrated the RAN’s leading role in promoting stability and collaboration with our allies and partners.
“With the Hunter-class program gaining momentum, the RAN is entering an exciting new era,” Captain Radnidge said.
“The capability the Hunter-class will bring is set to transform the Navy’s Anti-submarine Warfare capacity, supporting the National Defence Strategy of deterrence through denial.”
Posting opportunities for the future Hunter Implementation Team will commence from 2027, offering Navy personnel the unique chance to be part of this generational capability uplift and to shape the way the Hunter-class enters service.
The next GCS User Group will be hosted by Canada in 2026, continuing the important collaboration between the partner navies to ensure the GCS program remains on the cutting edge of maritime capability for years to come.
