Australian Navy decommissions two Armidale class patrol boats.

According to information published by the Australian DoD on October 3, 2023, the Australian Navy bid farewell to two of its notable Armidale-class patrol boats: the 17-year-old HMAS Larrakia II and the 15-year-old HMAS Maryborough II.
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Australian Armidale class patrol boat HMAS Arrakia. (Picture source: RAN)

Both ships played pivotal roles over their service tenure, collaborating with Australian Border Force, Australian Fisheries, and the Australian Federal Police on a series of operations.

The Larrakia II notably extended its support to the Solomon Islands during their COVID-19 activities in 2021, while the Maryborough II's crew swiftly handled a significant engine-room fire in 2017, exemplifying their dedication and professionalism.

Armidale class patrol boats

These boats have a displacement of 300 tons under the standard load. With an impressive length of 56.8 meters (186 feet), they feature a beam measuring 9.7 meters (32 feet) and a draught of 2.7 meters (8.9 feet).

Underpinning their propulsion are two MTU 4000 16V diesel engines, each producing 6,225 horsepower (or 4,642 kW), which drive the twin propellers. With these powerful engines, the boats can achieve speeds of up to 25 knots, which is equivalent to 46 km/h or 29 mph.

They are built for long voyages, boasting a range of 3,000 nautical miles (5,600 km or 3,500 miles) when traveling at a consistent speed of 12 knots (22 km/h or 14 mph).

Designed for extended missions, these patrol boats have an endurance of 21 days under standard conditions, which can be stretched to a maximum of 42 days if necessary.

To support operations, the boats carry two Zodiac 7.2 meter (24-foot) RHIBs (Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boats). In terms of crew, while they typically house 21 crew members, they can accommodate a maximum of 29. Impressively, in emergency situations, they have the capacity to carry up to 150 persons onboard.

The onboard sensors and processing systems include the Bridgemaster E surface search/navigation radar. Their electronic warfare and decoy systems are advanced, featuring the Prism III radar warning system, the Toplite electro-optical detection system, and the Warrlock direction-finding system.

These patrol boats are equipped with a Rafael Typhoon stabilised gun mount. This is fitted with a Mk 38 25 mm (1 inch) M242 Bushmaster autocannon, ensuring they are well-prepared for combat scenarios.