Austal delivers fifth evolved Cape-class patrol boat to RAN

Austal Australia has delivered the fifth evolved Cape-class patrol boat (ECCPB) to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

The 58-metre aluminium monohull patrol boat is the fifth of eight to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy since the project commenced in May 2020.

The vessel was launched in February this year.

The first four evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats, Cape Otway, Cape Peron, Cape Naturaliste, and Cape Capricorn were delivered within a twelve-month period, from March 2022.

The sixth Evolved Cape-class patrol Boat ADV Cape Pillar was launched at the company’s Henderson, Western Australia shipyard earlier this month.

“This latest vessel, the ADV Cape Woolamai, is the fifth we have delivered in just 15 months. We’re launching and delivering a new patrol boat every three months, following approximately 12 months construction,” Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer, Paddy Gregg, commented.

“We remain on track to deliver all eight Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats on schedule, in mid 2024.”

In May 2020, Austal Australia was awarded a contract to design and construct six ‘Evolved’ Cape-class Patrol Boats for the Royal Australian Navy. Less than 2 years later, the company has delivered the first of the Evolved Capes, the ADV Cape Otway (314), and continues to construct the remaining five vessels due for delivery over 2022 and 2023.

In April 2022 Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that a further two evolved Cape-class patrol boats would be ordered by the Australian Department of Defence in FY2023, bringing the total number of vessels ordered for the Royal Australian Navy to eight.

Austal Australia is also contracted to deliver 22 steel Guardian-class Patrol Boats to the Commonwealth of Australia under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA3036-1) and has delivered 15 vessels since 2018.