Austal has been selected by the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) as preferred bidder to build and maintain up to 21 patrol boats for Australia’s South Pacific neighbours.
The steel-hulled vessels will be constructed at Austal’s facility in Henderson, Western Australia, with Austal proposing to carry out sustainment – including deep maintenance – of vessels in Cairns, Queensland.
According to a DoD media release, the contract is worth between AU$500 and $750 million (US$390-585 million) and will create more than 130 jobs. Through-life support and sustainment for the Pacific Patrol Boats is valued at around AU$400 million.
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