Austal has launched the first of six Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats (CCPBs) ordered by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
“Austal has launched the first of six Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats to be constructed for the Australian Navy in Henderson, Western Australia,” the company announced on its official Twitter account Tuesday.
Construction has commenced on the remaining five patrol boats. The first boat will be handed over to the Navy early next year.
The six new vessels, to will add to the Navy’s existing fleet of two CCPB’s delivered in 2017 and further extends Austal’s Cape-class Patrol Boat program to a total of 18 vessels. This includes eight patrol boats operated by the Australian Border Force and two currently under construction for the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard.
Based on Austal’s 58 metre aluminium monohull design, the new RAN evolved Capes will include a number of enhancements that further extend the capability of the vessel and the fleet. These evolved Cape-class patrol boats include modifications determined through the extensive in-service experience of the RAN and ABF Capes currently operating throughout Northern Australia.
Crew capacity has been increased by 10 people, to now total 32 and quality-of-life provisions have been enhanced, ensuring those who operate the new Capes have connectivity to the outside world regardless of the operating environment. Further improvements have been incorporated into the new RAN Cape design, developed during the design and construction of two Cape-class patrol boats for the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard; an export contract awarded on 16th August 2019 and won with the strong support of the Australian Government and Export Finance Australia.
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