Australia receives first Arufara-class offshore patrol vessel
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NUSHIP Arufara (OPV-203). Photo c/o APDR. |
On 30 January 2025, the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) has confirmed that the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has accepted the first of the new Arufara-class offshore patrol vessel, the NUSHIP Arufara (OPV-203).
The ship was launched in 2021 and was delivered by its shipbuilder, Luerssen Australia at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia.
The NUSHIP Arufara sailed to its homeport at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia where it will undergo a series of tests by the Royal Australian Navy prior to commissioning to service later this year.
The ship is the first of a new class of patrol vessels being delivered as part of the RAN’s SEA 1180 project, which aims to deliver six Arufara-class ships.
The Arufara-class was derived from the Darussalam-class offshore patrol vessels delivered to the Royal Brunei Navy, with modifications in the sub-systems including sensors and weapon suit.
One more ship of the class is being built in Osborne Naval Shipyard, while the other four ships are being built in Henderson in Western Australia.
Under Australia’s latest Defence White Paper, the Arufara-class offshore patrol vessels will be classified as part of its Navy Minor War Vessel fleet, which will focus on maritime and border security and defense, and engaging regional partners in the Southwest Pacific and Southeast Asia.
Originally the plan was to build 12 ships, but changes in the defense strategy reduced the number to just 6, and instead more of the smaller Evolved Cape-class patrol boats will be acquired. Its planned main gun using a 40mm autocannon was also replaced by a smaller 25mm variant.
The Australian Government considers the delivery of NUSHIP Arufara as a milestone in its investment in local naval shipbuilding and sustainment, as well as building critical capabilities for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
[1] Australian Department of Defence
[2] Naval News
[3] Asia Pacific Defence Reporter

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