Australia receives 3rd Evolved Cape-class patrol boat

 

The 3rd Evolved Cape-class patrol boat ADV Cape Naturaliste (316). Photo c/o Austal Ltd.

Australian shipbuilder Austal Limited has confirmed that they delivered the third Evolved Cape-class patrol boat to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

The patrol boat, named ADV Cape Naturaliste, was officially accepted by the Australian Government from Austal during the handover ceremony.

Austal’s Chief Operation Officer Paddy Gregg said that their shipbuilding productivity has improved, enabling them to deliver an Evolved Cape-class patrol boat after just 12 months of construction.

Austal also confirmed that the fourth ship of the class, the future ADV Cape Capricorn is already alongside and is scheduled for delivery by early next year. Asia Pacific Defense Journal a few weeks ago that the boat was launched on October 2022.

It has also confirmed that they are on track to delivery all eight Evolved Cape-class patrol boats by mid 2024.

The Evolved Cape-class patrol boats are 58 meters long and can accommodate up to 32 personnel, with improved quality of life systems and advanced sustainment intelligence systems compared to previous designs.

The class, together with the larger Arufara-class offshore patrol vessel, will be replacing the RAN’s fleet of Armidale-class patrol boats and will be used for border and fisheries protection, maritime law enforcement, and maritime defense missions.




[1] Austal Limited
[2] Asia Pacific Defense Journal
[3] Naval News