Photo: Defence Connect

The Royal Australian Navy has welcomed the arrival of a new evolved Cape Class patrol boat, ADV Cape Capricorn from Austral Limited.

The ADV Cape Capricorn, which is the fourth of eight vessels, was officially accepted by the Commonwealth of Australia and announced on 13 February.

ADV Cape Otway, ADV Cape Peron, and ADV Cape Naturaliste patrol boats were delivered in March, August, and November last year.

Each Cape Class has a 58-metre aluminium monohull, can accommodate up to 32 people, has improved life systems, and advanced sustainment intelligence systems.

Austal Limited chief executive officer Paddy Gregg said the delivery of the fourth ECCPB highlighted Austal’s consistency in production and efficiencies at the Henderson shipyard.

“Austal has now delivered four Evolved Capes to the Royal Australian Navy since the contract was signed in May 2020 and we are launching a new vessel every three months, after around 12 months’ construction,” he said.

“The fifth vessel, the future ADV Cape Woolamai, is alongside now and we have three more Evolved Capes at various stages of production, here in Henderson.

“With the continued support of our trusted supply chain partners from across Australia and around the world, 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 a proven, sovereign capability partner to Defence Australia and the Navy and we are proud to play an integral role in delivering naval assets for Australia.”

More than 400 people are employed by Austal Australia in Western Australia and more than 300 supply chain partners engaged for the Evolved Cape Class Patrol Boat Project.

The company has has also delivered 15 of 22 Guardian Class Patrol Boats for the Commonwealth of Australia under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project since 2018

Austal is contracted for in-service support for Cape, Evolved Cape, and Guardian Class patrol boat fleets at dedicated service centres located in Henderson, Cairns, and Darwin.

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