Australia is looking at ship designs for future frigates to replace ANZAC-class vessels, such as the HMAS Perth, pictured. Royal Australian Navy photo

ADELAIDE, Australia, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Spanish shipbuilder Navantia and the Australian government are to conduct a risk reduction and design study on the company's offering of a future frigate.

Work on the initial phase of Australia's SEA5000 Future Frigate Program will be conducted over a one-year period under a Future Frigate Participant Services contract from the Australian Department of Defense.


Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri and BAE Systems have received similar contracts for evaluation of their ship designs.

"Navantia's participation in this program is a significant milestone for the future of Navantia in Australia as the opportunity to be a potential designer of the future frigates will be the most important naval surface shipbuilding program worldwide," Navantia said.

"This program has the potential to allow for the development of Navantia Australia's local capabilities and its Operations and Design Center, which will actively participate in this design phase."