There’s no HMAS Freo, but there is HMAS Perth - and she’s on the move

The Anzac class frigate HMAS Perth has just departed Fleet Base West on Garden Island to commence the Australian Defence Force’s fifth Regional Presence Deployment of 2026.
We should add that while there is currently no HMAS Fremantle, there have been two HMAS Freo’s in the past.

The official Defence media release says that “Perth will participate in training activities and port visits with regional partners, while conducting patrols in regional waters, sailing in accordance with international law, and exercising Australia’s rights to freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters and airspace.” So you can sort of guess where she might be headed!

Based on other deployments this calendar year it’s safe to say Perth will engage in deployments spanning: South China Sea (multilateral transits with Canada and the US); South‑East Asia (Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam); North Asia (Japan, South Korea); Indian Ocean (India, Exercise Milan, International Fleet Review).

HMAS Perth, image supplied by Navy

Commander Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones AO, CSC, said Australia’s near-continuous presence across the region is strengthening relationships with allies and partners, while contributing to collective security and regional stability.

“HMAS Perth’s deployment reinforces Australia’s reputation as a reliable and trusted security partner, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to working with allies and partners across the region,” Vice Admiral Jones said.

“These deployments provide valuable opportunities to deepen cooperation with regional partners and ensure our forces are prepared to work together when it matters most.

“HMAS Perth’s deployment continues Australia’s longstanding practice of operating throughout the region in accordance with international law, reinforcing our reliability as a partner and commitment to transparency.”

Perth’s Commanding Officer Commander Dylan White said the ship continued to deliver a versatile and modern maritime warfare capability as it entered its 20^th year of service.

“The current HMAS Perth is the third ship to bear the name, and all three share a proud history of operational service in the South East Asia region,” Commander White said.

“The crew on HMAS Perth are proud to take on this opportunity to represent Navy and the wider ADF abroad, engage with our regional partners, and carry out their duties at sea.

“Deployments such as this rely on the ongoing support of families and loved ones at home, and the crew is deeply appreciative of the sacrifices they make while we are away.”

Commissioned into service in 2006, Perth is a long-range frigate capable of air defence, surface and undersea warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction.

Perth last conducted a Regional Presence Deployment in late 2024, and carries approximately 170 crew and an embarked MH-60R Seahawk maritime warfare helicopter.

Through training activities and port visits with regional partners, HMAS Perth and its crew will strengthen interoperability, build professional relationships and contribute to regional security.

In case you are wondering, while currently there is no HMAS Fremantle in Navy’s fleet, there have been two in the past. The first, a Bathurst class Australian Minesweeper (Corvettes), was launched by Mrs Elsie Curtin CBE, the wife of the wartime PM and Member for Fremantle, in 1942. Freo1 was ultimately sold for scrap in 1961. You can read more about HMAS Freo1 right here. Here she is.

HMAS Fremantle (1)

The second HMAS Fremantle – Freo2 – was launched in 1979 and decommissioned in 2006. Freo2, was the first of a new Fremantle class patrol boats, and was built in the United Kingdom. However, the other 14 were built in Cairns. All of the Fremantle class patrol boats carried the names of the former Bathurst class Minesweepers that served during and after the Second World War. You can read more about HMAS Freo2 right here. Here she is.