The Australian government has delivered a Guardian-class patrol boat to Vanuatu as part of its program to equip 12 Pacific Island nations and Timor Leste with new maritime patrol capability.
RVS Takuare is the 12th vessel delivered under the Pacific Maritime Security Program and was handed over by Australia on Vanuatu’s Independence Day at a ceremony in Henderson, Western Australia, on July 30.
“I wish to congratulate Vanuatu on its 41st Anniversary of Independence and extend my best wishes to the people of Vanuatu and to the ni-Vanuatu community here in Australia,” Australian defense industry minister Melissa Price said.
“Australia is proud to deliver this high quality vessel, supported by wharf infrastructure upgrades in Port Vila and through-life training and maintenance – a hallmark of our Pacific Maritime Security Program.”
Under the Pacific Maritime Security Program, Australia is delivering 21 Guardian-class patrol boats to 12 Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste.
In addition to through-life sustainment for the vessels, the Pacific Maritime Security Program also provides dedicated aerial surveillance to the region.
“Takuare is the 12th Guardian-class patrol boat Austal Australia has delivered in just over 30 months, and the fourth Guardian we have delivered this year, alone,” Austal CEO Paddy Gregg said.
The steel monohulls are based on a design platform that has included the 38 meter Bay-class, 56 meter Armidale-class and 58 meter Cape-class patrol boats that are in service with the Australian Border Force and Royal Australian Navy.
According to shipbuilder specifications, they have a beam of 8 meters and a loaded draft of 2.5 meters. They are capable of traveling at 20 knots and have a 3,000 nautical mile range at 12 knots. Each vessel can accommodate 23 personnel.
