Rohde & Schwarz (R&S) Australia announced on 11 August 2025 that it has awarded a contract to STS Defence to provide the twin integrated main configurable communications masts for the Royal Australian Navy’s first three warships being delivered under the Hunter Class Frigate Program (HCFP).
When integrated with R&S’s NAVICS naval integrated communications Multi-Level Security (MLS) system, the communications masts will enable the Royal Australian Navy’s new Hunter-class frigates to communicate effectively across a range of frequency bands.
STS Defence is the design authority for the masts and has successfully completed scoping, risk reduction and detailed design studies, leading to Lloyd’s certification. The design is based on the main communications mast that STS Defence supplied for the UK Royal Navy’s Type 26 frigates.
“We are delighted to have STS Defence on board as a key supplier for the HCFP,” Gareth Evans, managing director of R&S Australia, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “STS Defence’s expertise in the design and manufacture of high-quality communications masts will be essential in ensuring the success of the Hunter programme.”
Ben Stancliffe, managing director of STS Defence, added: “We are thrilled to be a part of this flagship programme for STS Defence, which showcases our technology, design, and integration capabilities. We are immensely proud to be providing this mission-critical system to one of the most advanced warships in the world. Our team has worked closely with Rohde & Schwarz Australia to ensure that the communications masts meet the Royal Australian Navy’s requirements, and we look forward to delivering high-quality products that will support the success of the Hunter Class Frigate Program.”
