The 24th and final Guardian-class patrol boat being built by Austal for Australia’s Pacific Maritime Security Programme has hit the water.
Austal revealed via a social media post that it has now launched the as-yet unnamed vessel, designated Hull 544, built at Hope Valley Naval Base near its Henderson shipyard in Western Australia.
So far 22 of the 24 Patrol 40 ships ordered by the Australian Government have been delivered as part of the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project since building work on the A$2 billion programme began in 2017 with an initial contract for 19 vessels.
The firm’s statement noted: “Every Guardian-class Patrol Boat constructed by Austal here in Henderson Western Australia reflects the skill, dedication and resilience of our team and our supply chain and industry partners.
“Through challenges and change, we have worked collaboratively to refine processes, strengthen capability and establish a highly efficient steel shipbuilding production line.”
The Guardian-class patrol boats supplied under the Australian Government’s Pacific Maritime Security Programme (PMSP) are based on Austal’s Cape-class patrol boat 58. The 40-metre boats have a range of 3,000 nautical miles and a top speed of around 20 knots.
Under the PMSP the boats are provided to 12 allied small South Pacific Ocean countries by the Australian Government to enhance maritime security across the region.
- You can read more details about the Guardian-Class boats on the Austal website