Austal Australia has delivered the 20th Guardian-class patrol boat (GCPB) to the Australian Department of Defense.
The vessel, Tobwaan Mainiku, for the Republic of Kiribati, was accepted by representatives of the Department of Defense at the Austal shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia on July 12, 2024.
Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said the delivery of the 20th Guardian-class patrol boat highlighted the industry-leading productivity of the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project, now comprising 24 vessels.
“The Austal Australia team, together with our valued supply chain and defence industry partners, including the Department of Defence and the Royal Australian Navy, have now delivered 20 Guardian-class patrol boats to the Australian Government since December 2018,” Gregg stated.
“Effectively, we’ve delivered one new Guardian-class Patrol Boat every four months (on average) over the past 5 years, highlighting Western Australia’s industry-leading naval shipbuilding capability and productivity.”
The Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project was awarded to Austal Australia in May 2016, with subsequent, contract options awarded in April 2018, November 2022 and June 2024, taking the project to 24 vessels, valued at more than A$400 million, in total.
The 39.5 meter steel monohull patrol boat – designed, constructed and sustained by Austal Australia – is 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.