Austal Australia has successfully launched the ninth evolved Cape-class patrol boat (ECCPB) for the Royal Australian Navy – the future HMAS Cape Spencer.
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 delivered the first of the evolved Capes, the ADV Cape Otway (314), and has delivered the remaining five vessels over 2022-23.
In April 2022, Australia announced that a further two boats would be ordered by the Australian Department of Defense in FY2023; ADV Cape Solander (312), delivered in August 2024, and ADV Cape Schanck (313) launched in June 2024.
In November 2023, the Australian Government unveiled an order for another two ships, bringing the total number of vessels on order for the Royal Australian Navy to ten.
In 2024, two more units were ordered for the Australian Border Force.
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The new vessels include several enhancements that further extend the capability of the ten Cape-class patrol boats already operating with the navy and Australian Border Force throughout Northern Australia.
With the launch of Cape Spencer in April, three ECCPBs remain under construction at the Henderson shipyard: the future HMAS Cape Hawke for the navy and two vessels for the Australian Border Force. Austal Australia is also currently constructing the last two of 24 Guardian-class patrol boats contracted for Defense Australia.