Shipbuilder Austal Australia has secured an order from the Australian Government for an additional Guardian-class patrol boat for A$15.2 million.
The 39.5 metre steel hull patrol boat, to be constructed in Western Australia and delivered in September 2024, is in addition to the 21 Guardian-class patrol boats ordered by the Australian Government under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project.
Faster than the previous Pacific-class patrol boats, with improved seakeeping, better amenities, and an enhanced mission capability – including an integrated RHIB stern launch and recovery system – the Guardian-class patrol boats help Pacific Island nations carry out border patrols, regional policing, search and rescue, and many other operations domestically and internationally.
Fifteen of the 21 vessels have been delivered to eleven Pacific Island nations under the Australian Government’s Pacific Maritime Security Program, since 2018.
“The Austal Australia team are understandably very proud of the 15 Guardians delivered to date and are pleased to receive an additional order for this effective naval platform – designed and constructed right here in Western Australia, with the help of over 300 suppliers,” Paddy Gregg, CEO of Austal, said.
The Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA3036-1) was awarded to Austal Australia in May 2016, with an additional contract option awarded in April 2018, taking the program to 21 vessels, valued at more than A$335 million.
Twelve Pacific Island nations including Papua New Guinea, Fiji, the Federated States of Micronesia, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Palau, Samoa, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Timor-Leste will receive the vessels through to 2023.
The Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project supports more than 200 jobs at Austal Australia (directly) and a further 200 jobs indirectly, nationally, through Australian businesses contracted by Austal.