The Royal Australian Navy has received the second of eight Evolved Cape-class patrol boats from shipbuilder Austal.
The vessel, ADV Cape Peron, was handed over to the navy after being launched at Austal’s Henderson shipyard in March this year.
The evolved Cape-class units are joining the ten units already in service with the navy and the Australian Border Force. The new boats feature a number of enhancements, while crew accommodation has been increased by 10 people, to now total 32. Also, ‘quality-of-life’ provisions have been enhanced, ensuring those who operate the new boats have WIFI connectivity to the outside world regardless of the operating environment.
“The Evolved Cape-class patrol boats are not only enhancing the Royal Australian Navy’s capability, but further strengthening Australia’s sovereign shipbuilding capability, which is more important than ever before,” Austal CEO Paddy Gregg said.
The first of the Evolved Cape-class patrol boats, ADV Cape Otway, was delivered in March 2022, following approximately 18 months construction. The six remaining vessels are in various stages of production at Austal’s Henderson, Western Australia shipyard and deliveries are scheduled progressively through to 2024.
Austal Australia is also contracted to deliver 21 Guardian-class patrol boats to the Commonwealth of Australia under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA3036-1) and has delivered 15 vessels to date.
