Austal’s Starts Construction On Two Cape Class Patrol Boats For The Royal Australian Navy

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DIMDEX 2016 Online Show Daily - Austal
 
 
 
Austal’s Starts Construction On Two Cape Class Patrol Boats For The Royal Australian Navy
 
As Austal awaits news from Australia’s Department of Defence on the outcome of the 21 vessel, AU$1.3billion Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement (PPB-R) tender process, the company has commenced construction of two (2) Cape-class Patrol Boats – to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in mid CY2017.
     
As Austal awaits news from Australia’s Department of Defence on the outcome of the 21 vessel, AU$1.3billion Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement (PPB-R) tender process, the company has commenced construction of two (2) Cape-class Patrol Boats – to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in mid CY2017.
Austal stand at DIMDEX 2016
     
Under a AU$63million contract with the National Australia Bank, the two 58 metre Cape-class Patrol Boat shall be constructed by Austal and chartered by the RAN to complement their 13 vessel Armidale-class Patrol Boat fleet (also constructed by Austal).

Over 2013 - 2015, Austal completed the delivery of eight (8) Cape-class Patrol Boats for the Australian Border Force (ABF), as part of an AU$330million contract for design, construction and in-service support. All eight vessels are now based in Darwin in the Northern Territory and operating throughout Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ); conducting a range of border security and surveillance, people, drug and weapons smuggling interdiction, customs and other para-military missions.

Like the Cape-class Patrol Boats delivered to the ABF, the two RAN vessels have the capability of patrolling for up to 28 days and 4000 nautical miles – with a crew of up to 22. The ship features the latest in border surveillance and communications technology and the ability to launch two 7.3m RHIB’s simultaneously, enabling the rapid response to threats and/or emergency situations in various sea states. Two powerful, 2600kW engines deliver exceptional and reliable performance up to 26 knots.
     
As Austal awaits news from Australia’s Department of Defence on the outcome of the 21 vessel, AU$1.3billion Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement (PPB-R) tender process, the company has commenced construction of two (2) Cape-class Patrol Boats – to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in mid CY2017.
One of eight 58m Cape-class Patrol Boats delivered to the Australian Border Force over 2013-15. The Royal Australian Navy will take delivery of two Capes, constructed at Austal Australia, in mid-2017. Photo: Austal
     
Austal’s portfolio of patrol boats has grown significantly since 1999, when the first of eight (8) 38 metre Bay-class Patrol Boats were designed and constructed by Austal for the (then) Australian Customs Service. In just 17 years, Austal has delivered 72 patrol boats to 10 customers in 8 countries; including Australia’s entire border patrol capability – a total of 30 vessels - for the RAN and ABF.

From paramilitary (police and coast guard) vessels to complete naval fleets, Austal has demonstrated an industry-leading capability to develop customised patrol vessel solutions (based on proven design platforms) and provide comprehensive ‘Through-Life Capability Management’, including Integrated Logistic Support, to customers and their fleets worldwide.

Through Austal’s Middle East Service Centre in Muscat, Oman (and Administration in Abu Dhabi, UAE) the company offers local support to operators throughout the Gulf region, including the Royal Navy of Oman and Royal Oman Police Coast Guard.