The Australian defense ministry has announced the names of further five Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels as Adelaide-based ASC Shipbuilding started construction of the second unit in the class.
The construction start was marked with a ceremonial keel laying.
The Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, AO, RAN announced that the vessel will be commissioned as HMAS Eyre when it comes into operational service in early 2023.
“The next four OPVs will be named HMAS Pilbara, HMAS Gippsland, HMAS Illawarra and HMAS Carpentaria,” Vice Admiral Noonan said.
Two OPVs are being built by ASC Shipbuilding at Osborne Naval Shipyard, setting the foundation of continuous shipbuilding prior to prototyping commencing on the Hunter-class frigate program in 2020.
The remaining ten ships will be built by Civmec in Western Australia.
“Over the past 10 months, Luerssen Australia alongside ASC Shipbuilding have contributed an enormous effort to build and commence consolidation of the keel blocks, which when complete, will be part of a 1,600 tonne ship,” Australian defense minister Linda Reynolds said.
