Austal Ships has been awarded a further contract extension, valued at over A$135 million, for the construction of two additional evolved Cape-class patrol boats for the Australian Border Force.
The evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat design features expanded accommodations for up to 32 personnel, enhanced quality-of-life systems, and advanced sustainment technologies to maximize operational availability. The vessels support a wide range of constabulary and naval missions and are a key element of Australia’s border security architecture.
The latest order brings the total number of evolved Cape-class patrol boats contracted to Austal to 14 vessels. Austal delivered eight original Cape-class units to the Australian Border Force between 2012 and 2015. These were followed by additional orders and deliveries to the Royal Australian Navy (two vessels) in 2017 and Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (two vessels) in 2021.
Since 2020, the Commonwealth of Australia has ordered twelve evolved Cape-class patrol boats for the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Border Force. The addition of these thirteenth and fourteenth evolved Capes reflects the strength of Australia’s shipbuilding capability.
Construction of the two new patrol boats will take place at Austal’s Henderson shipyard in Western Australia, supported by a national supply chain and integrated project teams from the Department of Defense and the Australian Border Force.
“Over the past five years, the Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats have proven themselves as highly capable, reliable assets for Australia’s border protection missions. With nine Evolved Capes already delivered and performing exceptionally with the Royal Australian Navy, and two more already under construction for the Australian Border Force, this new order further enhances Australia’s maritime surveillance and response capability across Northern Australia and our vast maritime domain,” Paddy Gregg , Austal Limited CEO, said.
Austal continues to provide comprehensive in-service support for both Cape-class and evolved Cape-class fleets through service facilities in Henderson, Cairns, and Darwin. The company also works on the Guardian-class Patrol Boat program, with 22 of 24 vessels handed over under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA3036-1).