Rohde & Schwarz to provide NAVICS for two new evolved Cape-class patrol boats

October 16, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

Rohde & Schwarz Australia and Austal Ships have entered into a definitive agreement for the delivery, installation, acceptance testing, and transition into service of NAVICS integrated communications systems for the first two Australian Border Force (ABF) evolved Cape-class patrol boats (ECCPB).

Charles Nuttall-Smith, Head of Maritime Domain at Rohde & Schwarz Australia, stated that the agreement represented a continuation of the enduring collaboration with Austal on the evolved Capes, which had resulted in the delivery of eight NAVICS-equipped patrol boats to the Royal Australian Navy, with the last vessel, ADV Cape Hawke, having been launched in September 2025.

Austal splashes Australian Navy’s final evolved Cape-class patrol boat

Vessels

NAVICS is based on Rohde & Schwarz’s proprietary voice-over-IP communications switching architecture.

In June 2020, Rohde & Schwarz Australia was contracted by Austal to design, manufacture and deliver the NAVICS MLS system for 10 Royal Australian Navy ECCPBs. Since then, nine systems have been delivered, with a further one pending in 2026.

Rohde & Schwarz’s communication system for Australia’s evolved Cape-class patrol vessel

Equipment & technology

In 2024, Rohde & Schwarz Australia was awarded a communications contract by BAE Systems Australia to deliver the technology for the first three Hunter-class frigates.