A proposal to replace air search radar aboard Royal Australian Navy frigates has received First Pass approval from the government.

The approval for project SEA 1448 Phase 4B – ANZAC Air Search Radar Replacement, enables the Department of Defense to keep working with Australia's CEA Technologies on development of a new air search radar that incorporates an Identification-Friend-or-Foe capability.

"CEA is an internationally recognized Australian company that developed the successful Anti-Ship Missile Defense 'CEAFAR' radar currently being installed on the ANZAC frigates, the Department of Defense said.

"The new radar will build on this successful technology to deliver a generational improvement over the current ANZAC long-range radar. The CEA long-range radar is expected to provide earlier warning of potential threats and greater situational awareness to the ship and the task group. The two radars share the same design principles and will provide a significant capability advantage to our ships."

As part of a Risk Reduction Program with CEA, if a demonstration of the technology is not successful, the Defense Department may consider military off-the-shelf radar options.

The project is expected to come up for Second Pass approval next year or in 2017.