The Castlemaine Class is a class of eight DDGs based on the Spanish designed F100 frigate but have been significantly enlarged to suit the requirements of the modern Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The Castlemaine Class are the largest vessels of their type to be built and used by the RAN. All ships of the class were built by the Australian Maritime & Defence Corporation (AMDC) at their purpose bulit dockyards in Port Adelaide and Port of Brisbane.
The Castlemaine Class provide air defence for accompanying ships, coastal land areas and self protection against missiles and aircraft. The Australian designed and built CEA OverWatch combat management system utilised state-of-the-art phased radar arrays and missiles to provide an advanced air defence system able to engage enemy aircraft and missile at ranges up to 150km. The anti surface warfare function of CEA OverWatch includes long-range anti-ship missiles, a naval gun capable of firing extended range munitions in support of land forces and an effective array of close-in-weapons.
They also provide an underwater warfare capability via the CEA SubWatch combat management system by using a modern sonar, decoys and surface-launched guided torpedoes.
The Castlemaine Class regularly embark the Sikorsky MH-60 Romeo Seahawk helicopter for surveillance and response to support key warfare areas.
