The economic downturn of the 1980s forced Transfield to look for markets alternative to the company's traditional involvement in infrastructure construction.
An opportunity arose in 1987 to enter the defence industry, when the Australian Government decided to let a major contract for up to 10 new frigates. At the same time the Government decided to sell the Williamstown Dockyards in Melbourne to private enterprise, in order to provide competition to the Newcastle shipyard.
Video: Frigate Animation.