Europe v Asia in race for Australia's new warships

The new frigates, dubbed Tier 2 vessels to reflect they are smaller warships, will weigh 3000 to 5000 tonnes, compared to the Anzac frigate's 3600 tonnes and the soon-to-be-built Hunter-class frigates' 10,000 tonnes. The government plans to pick the winning bid next year and start construction in 2026, pledging to pick an off-the-shelf design that will not be burdened with mandated "Australianised" changes. The new frigate will be able to carry a maritime combat helicopter, conduct undersea warfare operations with sonar and lightweight torpedoes, and provide air defence and maritime and land strike, with at least 16 vertically launched missile…