Austal’s PPB-R facility opens
Austal’s new Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement (PPB-R) shipbuilding facility has been officially opened in Naval Base, Western Australia, the company announced on 8 March.
The company will run the Australian government’s PPB-R programme from the 10,500m² facility. Under the contract awarded in May 2016, Austal is to build 19 patrol boats that will be gifted by the Commonwealth of Australia to twelve Pacific Island nations as part of Australia’s Pacific Maritime Security programme.
The project is a key element in the Australian government’s Continuous Naval Shipbuilding Plan.
The detailed design review for the vessels has been completed, and Austal is set to begin construction in late April 2017, with deliveries scheduled from 2018 to 2023.
The PPB-R project will also see Austal provide training and sustainment services for the fleet, which will be carried out from facilities in Cairns, Queensland.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![The UK joins the movement towards joint procurement]()
The UK joins the movement towards joint procurement
The UK will spend an estimated US$3.89 billion over the next decade in joint naval programmes, a lot of which will be in cooperation with Norway.
-
![Rheinmetall’s GMF 140: Ambitious frigate or market misfit?]()
Rheinmetall’s GMF 140: Ambitious frigate or market misfit?
Rheinmetall has unveiled its first next-generation frigate design, showing ambitions to compete as a surface combatant prime contractor. While the company is targeting North America, analysts believe the concept may be better positioned for future European programmes.
-
![US Navy $76.6bn award provides stability for submarine production]()
US Navy $76.6bn award provides stability for submarine production
The US Department of War’s US$76.6 billion Columbia-and Virginia-class submarine contract gives industry demand certainty as Washington seeks to rebuild its shipbuilding base.
-
![Dreadnought Phase 4 opens £2.5 billion supply chain opportunity]()
Dreadnought Phase 4 opens £2.5 billion supply chain opportunity
The UK government’s £8.4 billion Dreadnought Phase 4 investment sets aside £2.5 billion for the wider submarine supply chain, opening new work beyond BAE Systems’ prime contract.
-
![Hanwha Ocean deepens US ties and eyes Saudi submarine prospect after Canada setback]()
Hanwha Ocean deepens US ties and eyes Saudi submarine prospect after Canada setback
Hanwha Ocean is deepening ties with the US and eyeing a submarine opportunity in Saudi Arabia, as South Korea looks to convert its Canadian defeat into export momentum.
