EVENDALE, Ohio - GE Marine reported that its LM2500 aeroderivative gas turbine will power the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN) eighth ANZAC-class frigate, Nuship Ballarat. The frigate was recently delivered to the RAN during a ceremony in Williamstown, Melbourne, Australia. 

The ANZAC ship program is a collaboration between the Australian and New Zealand governments, involving the development and construction of 10 new ANZAC class frigates - eight for the RAN and two for the Royal New Zealand Navy. 

"We are proud that our LM2500 is part of one of the largest defense projects ever awarded in Australia," said Karl Matson, general manager of GE Marine. "In addition to the 10 engines, plus one spare, we're providing for the ANZAC program, 12 LM2500s power the RAN's FFG-7 Adelaide class frigates in service today," Matson added. 

Built by Tenix Defence Pty Ltd at the Williamstown shipyard, the ships feature state-of-the-art weaponry and a range of capability enhancements unique to Australia. The 118-meter ANZAC frigates are based on the MEKO 200 platform design for worldwide operation under climatic and oceanographic conditions ranging from tropical to sub-arctic. 

Each frigate features one GE LM2500 aeroderivative gas turbine in a combined diesel or gas turbine configuration with two MTU 12V1163 TB83 diesel engines, supplied by MTU. MTU is a GE Marine Systems Supplier. The propulsion system is capable of reaching a speed of 27 knots at full-load displacement. 

The keel of Nuship Ballarat was laid on August 4, 2000 and she was launched on May 25, 2002. The ship is scheduled to be commissioned into the RAN in mid-2004. The tenth and final Anzac class ship, Perth, is scheduled to be delivered by mid-2006. 

GE Marine is a division of GE Transportation of the General Electric Company (NYSE: GE). GE Marine is one of the world's leading manufacturers of a variety of marine products for military and commercial marine applications - in the 1,600 to 57,330 shaft horsepower range - including aeroderivative gas turbines, diesel engines and main reduction gearing. GE gas turbines range from 6,000 to 57,330 shaft horsepower. The GE Diesel family of medium speed engines includes 8, 12 and 16 cylinder V configurations ranging between 1,600 to 4,000 shp for both commercial marine and industrial applications.