Australia should scrap its $45 billion future frigate program, according to a former navy chief. 

Retired Vice Admiral David Shackleton says Defence should give up on the troubled $45 billion future frigate program.

British company BAE Systems was in 2018 to build nine new anti-submarine warfare (ASW) frigates to replace Australia's ageing Anzac-class frigates.

The new vessels, dubbed the Hunter-class, were to be built in Adelaide from late 2022, but that date has been pushed back by at least 18 months.

In 2016, the cost of the future frigate program was estimated at $30 billion, but that had grown to $45.6 billion by last year. 

“The Hunter frigate program in its current form should be stopped and redirected,” Vice Admiral Shackleton writes in a report published by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI).

“The Hunters aren't powerful enough ships for what the Navy needs and won't give the government a range of military options it could need for managing a conflict.

“A misguided emphasis on optimisation for ASW operations has resulted in Australia choosing a ship unsuited for its needs — a change of direction is needed.”

Instead, he says Australia should negotiate with the United States on building Arleigh Burke-class destroyers locally, or commission the construction of more Hobart-class destroyers.

“Agreement should be reached with the US government to construct in Australia nine ships of the USN DDG-51Flight III destroyer, integrating the Australian phased-array radar,” Vice Admiral Shackleton said. 

“If negotiations with the US aren't expeditious, a further three or four ships of the Hobart class already in service with the RAN should commence construction as soon as possible, using as much as possible of the combat systems and other equipment already being procured for the Hunter class.”

It should be noted that Vice Admiral Shackleton obtained a PhD for a thesis on the impact of the US Charles F Adams-class destroyers on the Royal Australian Navy.

Defence Department secretary Greg Moriarty has reportedly been dispatched to the United Kingdom to discuss problems with the delayed Hunter-class program.