Australia commissions HMAS Arafura three-and-a-half years behind schedule
HMAS Arafura sails into HMAS Stirling ahead of its commissioning ceremony on 28 June. (Photo: ADF)
The Royal Australian Navy has finally commissioned the first Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel – more than three years behind schedule – highlighting the programme’s delays, design compromises and ongoing industrial restructuring.
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has commissioned the first eponymous Arafura-class OPV at its Western Australia naval base. The milestone, which took place on 28 June, occurred three-and-a-half years behind the schedule originally envisioned.
Ironically, Matt Keogh, Australia’s Minister for Defence Personnel, said: “HMAS Arafura delivers on our plan for Australian workers to build vessels for the fleet faster than Australia has for decades, to ensure the navy has what it needs to secure our national interests at sea.”
Unfortunately, however, the Arafura class has been beset by delays. Considering this is a basic OPV based on a design already
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![How Canada is preparing the future River-class destroyers to endure uncrewed threats]()
How Canada is preparing the future River-class destroyers to endure uncrewed threats
Designed in 2019, Canada's new River-class destroyers are planned to be handed over by the 2050s. The long procurement timeline has cast doubt on whether the platforms will be obsolete for tomorrow’s warfare.
-
![Latest Russian subsea standoff puts pressure on the UK’s seabed defence strategy]()
Latest Russian subsea standoff puts pressure on the UK’s seabed defence strategy
UK defence secretary John Healey’s exposure of a covert Russian deep-sea operation against undersea infrastructure in the Atlantic validates the Royal Navy’s Atlantic Bastion concept but lays bare a capacity gap that autonomous systems, allied integration and sustained investment must close.
-
![Could the USCG icebreaker requirement open the door for more inland shipbuilding?]()
Could the USCG icebreaker requirement open the door for more inland shipbuilding?
The formation of a Great Lakes shipbuilding alliance could prompt a shift in how the US approaches naval and coast guard construction. But can distributed inland shipyards ease the country’s shipbuilding capacity?
-
![US Navy bets on radio frequency to increase vessel protection against aerial threats]()
US Navy bets on radio frequency to increase vessel protection against aerial threats
A Northrop Grumman RF-based defensive capability will equip USN destroyers and aircraft carriers to enhance their survivability against missile and drone attacks.
