Tag Archives: Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats

Navy

Cape Naturaliste

Austal Limited (Austal) is pleased to announce Austal Australia has delivered the third of eight Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats (ECCPB’s) to the Royal Australian Navy.

ADV Cape Naturaliste (316)
Austal Australia has delivered the third Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat, ADV Cape Naturaliste (316) to the Royal Australian Navy (Photo: Austal)

The vessel, ADV Cape Naturaliste (316), was officially accepted by the Commonwealth of Australia.

Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer, Paddy Gregg said the delivery of the third Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat highlighted Austal’s proven productivity and reliability to deliver naval shipbuilding programs in Australia.

«Austal has now delivered three Evolved Capes to the Royal Australian Navy since the contract was signed in May 2020. Our productivity has improved with each new vessel, to the point where Austal is launching a new Evolved Cape after just 12 months construction. The fourth vessel, the future ADV Cape Capricorn (317), is alongside now and we have four more Evolved Capes at various stages of production, here in Henderson. With the continued support of our trusted supply chain partners, the Austal shipbuilding team is well on track to deliver all eight Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats to the Navy by mid-2024, on schedule. Austal is leading the way in delivering effective capability to the Navy and adding value to the National Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise and we couldn’t be prouder», Mr. Gregg added.

The 58-metre/190-foot aluminium monohull patrol boat is the third of eight to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy. The first two Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats, ADV Cape Otway (314) and ADV Cape Peron (315) were delivered in March and August 2022, respectively.

The Evolved Capes feature new, larger amenities to accommodate up to 32 people, improved quality of life systems and advanced sustainment intelligence systems that further enhance the Royal Australian Navy’s ability to fight and win at sea. The patrol boats will be utilised for a wide variety of constabulary and naval missions and play a critical role in Australia’s national security, as a high-performing, reliable and effective maritime asset.

Austal Australia continues to employ approximately 400 people (directly) in Western Australia and is engaging more than 300 supply chain partners across Australia, to deliver the Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat Project (SEA1445-1) for the Royal Australian Navy. In-service support for the Cape, Evolved Cape and Guardian-class Patrol Boat fleets operated by the Australian Border Force, Royal Australian Navy and Pacific Island nations is provided by Austal Australia through dedicated service centres located in Henderson, Western Australia; Cairns, Queensland; and Darwin, Northern Territory.

Austal Australia is also contracted to deliver 22 Guardian-class Patrol Boats to the Commonwealth of Australia under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA3036-1) and has delivered 15 vessels since 2018.

This ASX announcement has been approved and authorised for release by Paddy Gregg, Austal Limited’s Chief Executive Officer.

Navy

Cape-class Patrol Boat

Austal Australia has welcomed Assistant Minister for Defence, The Honorable Andrew Hastie MP, to officially launch the second of six Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

Cape-class Patrol Boat
Austal Australia has successfully launched the second of six Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats for the Royal Australian Navy at the company’s shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia (Image: Austal)

The 58-metre/190-foot aluminium monohull patrol boat was launched following 18 months of construction at the company’s shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia.

Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said it was very fitting that the Assistant Minister for Defence officially launched the vessel, which is one of nine naval ships to be delivered to the Commonwealth of Australia by Austal this calendar year.

«I’m proud to say the Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat Project for the Royal Australian Navy is progressing at pace. We will be handing over the First of Class in March, with follow-on vessels delivered every 4 months thereafter. Our hardworking Austal team and supply chain partners continue to achieve greater efficiencies and productivity, working together with the Department of Defence to provide new capability in support of the Navy’s operational requirements and further develop the National Shipbuilding Enterprise», Mr. Gregg said.

«The Evolved Capes for the Royal Australian Navy is just one of two major naval shipbuilding projects Austal is continuing to deliver this year – the second is the Guardian-class. In total, Austal Australia is going to deliver an unprecedented nine naval ships to the Commonwealth of Australia in 2022», he added.

Assistant Minister for Defence, the Honorable Andrew Hastie MP said the Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats were a vital capability that would be used by Navy to continue to secure our borders and protect Australia’s sovereignty at sea.

«This is a great day for WA’s defence industry. Today marks another important milestone in the Government’s Naval Shipbuilding Plan – further strengthening our sovereign defence industry capability and delivering the largest regeneration of our naval fleet since the second world war», Assistant Minister Hastie said. «I was pleased to launch this vessel today. Building these vessels here in Western Australia means a stronger defence force that will protect our borders and our national security interests and create long-term local jobs».

The new Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats for the Royal Australian Navy include several enhancements that further extend the capability of the proven vessel and the fleet; with modifications developed through the in-service experience of ten Cape-class Patrol Boats already operating with the Navy and Australian Border Force throughout Northern Australia.

The A$324 million contract for the Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat Program (SEA1445-1), comprising six 58-metre/190-foot vessels, was awarded to Austal Australia in May 2020 and has directly employed approximately 400 people in Henderson, Western Australia and hundreds more through supply chain partners across Australia.