Australia starts retirement of Armidale-class large patrol boats

The HMAS Pirie (ACPB-89). Photo c/o ABC News.


The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has started decommissioning its Armidale-class large patrol boats, starting with HMAS Pirie (ACPB-87), which has been in service for 15 years.

The decommissioning was held on 02 April 2021 at HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin, with RAN Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Michael Noonan addressing the ceremony.

HMAS Pirie is the first of two Armidale-class patrol boats scheduled for decommissioning this year, as the RAN starts its transition with the upcoming Arufara-class offshore patrol vessels as part of the RAN’s fleet recapitalization plans.

HMAS Pirie Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Sean Dalton said it had been a privilege bringing Pirie and her crew home for the last time.

“Pirie has sailed more than 426,000 nautical miles in her lifetime, travelling from as far east as Samoa, west to the Cocos Keeling Islands, south to the Bass Strait, and as far north as Qingdao, China,” Lieutenant Commander Dalton said.

Throughout her commission, Pirie conducted intercept and control of both foreign fishing vessels and suspected irregular entry vessels, along with regularly providing support to the civil community. She has also taken part in diplomatic, ceremonial and commemorative events with Australia’s regional partners.

HMAS Pirie was built by Austal and is the fifth ship of the class. It was commissioned into the RAN on July 2006. 




[1]
Australian Department of Defence
[2] Jane’s

Australia starts retirement of Armidale-class large patrol boats Australia starts retirement of Armidale-class large patrol boats Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal on April 06, 2021 Rating: 5

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