Australia modernizes Anzac-class frigate

March 27 (UPI) -- The final Anzac-class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy getting missile defense and other upgrades is back in the water.

HMAS Stuart was set afloat at a BAE Systems shipyard in Herderson, Western Australia, and will now begin sea trials, according to the service.

"The entire Anzac class is now one of the most capable frigate forces in the world and is tangible evidence of Navy's progress towards deploying highly capable task groups," Commander Surface Forces Commodore Christopher Smith said in a press release.

HNAS Stuart is the eighth Anzac-class frigate to undergo the upgrade, which includes the installation of an improved combat system and the Australian-designed CEAFAR Active Phased Array Radar suite.

Modification's to the ship platform also enables embarkation of a submarine-hunting MH-60R Seahawk helicopter.

The Stuart is to undergo several months of harbor acceptance trials to test the upgraded systems. It is expected to complete the upgrade process by late 2017.

Anzac-class frigates are 387 feet long, have a speed of 27 knots and have a range of 6,000 nautical miles at 17 knots. They first entered service in 1996.