The Australian FFG Upgrade Project achieved another milestone today with Provisional Acceptance of the second upgraded vessel, HMAS MELBOURNE.

Provisional Acceptance is a contractual arrangement that facilitates the return of HMAS MELBOURNE back to the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) from the Prime Contractor, Thales Australia.

HMAS MELBOURNE will commence Navy activities today. Further Navy trials over the coming months will assess the operational performance of upgraded systems.

The FFG Upgrade Project provides for the upgrade of four ADELAIDE class frigates for the Royal Australian Navy.

HMAS SYDNEY was the first FFG to achieve Provisional Acceptance on 15 December 2006 and is currently conducting operational trials of the newly fitted Evolved Sea Sparrow missile system in Hawaii.

HMAS DARWIN is currently in the production phase at Garden Island, Sydney, and will commence Sea Trials early 2008. HMAS NEWCASTLE is the last of the four FFGs to be upgraded and commences its upgrade this month.