Australia’s general-purpose frigates will be in waters ‘this decade’: Richard Marles

Defence Minister Richard Marles has promised the first of Australia’s general-purpose frigates will be in the water “this decade”.

Mr Marles addressed a National Press Club conference on Wednesday.

“We have brought forward the acquisition of them,” he said.

“The means by which we have done that is by making clear that we will purchase or procure the first of those through an overseas build of an existing frigate.

Australia’s general-purpose frigates will be in waters ‘this decade’: Richard Marles

“That represents one of the pre-conditions of the tender that we will operate.”