AUSTRALIAN Shipbuilder Austal has delivered its 20th Guardian Class Patrol Boat to the Department of Defence.
RKS Tobwaan Mainiku is destined for the Republic of Kiribati as part of the Pacific Maritime Security Program, and is the second Guardian Class given to the pacific nation.
Tobwaan Mainiku was accepted by representatives from the Department of Defence at Austal’s shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia, on 12 July.
Kiribati was originally only meant to receive one Guardian Class boat, however this additional vessel forms part of Australia’s commitment under a memorandum of understanding signed between the two nations in early 2023, entitled “Nurturing the Partnership”.
Austal CEO 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.
“Effectively, we’ve delivered one new Guardian-class Patrol Boat every four months (on average) over the past five years, highlighting Western Australia’s industry-leading naval shipbuilding capability and productivity.”
“It’s even more impressive when you consider the Austal Australia team has also delivered two Cape-class Patrol Boats, six Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats and three large high-speed ferries to commercial operators around the world, during the same period.”
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, which Austal say are valued at more than $400 million in total.
Austal say the PPBR Project continues to support 200 direct jobs at Austal and more than 200 indirect jobs nationally, through Australian businesses contracted by Austal.
