Australia continues to deliver Guardian patrol boats, and it buys sea mines
This is the Guardian-class patrol boat HMPNGS Gilbert Toropo, which was donated to PNG by Australia. (Photo: Austal)
A total of 17 Guardian-class patrol boats have now been commissioned, while Australia boosts defensive deterrence by renewing a sea mine capability.
Austal Australia continues to churn out Guardian-class patrol boats for Pacific Island nations. Ultimately destined for Papua New Guinea, the 17th of 22 boats was handed over in a ceremony at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia in early October.
HMPNGS Gilbert Toropo is the PNG’s fourth and final boat overall. It received its first three boats in December 2018, March 2021 and October 2021, respectively. They are used for border patrols, regional policing and search and rescue, for example.
PNG, along with Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste, plans to arm its 39.5m-long monohull vessels. Austal delivers them without armaments.
The
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![HMS Anson’s milestone stay in Australia cut short during AUKUS deployment]()
HMS Anson’s milestone stay in Australia cut short during AUKUS deployment
The Astute-class submarine’s visit to Australia was the first time maintenance activity on a UK Royal Navy nuclear submarine had been carried out in the country.
-
![How Operation Epic Fury could reduce US readiness to face China]()
How Operation Epic Fury could reduce US readiness to face China
The offensive against Iran could impact training and maintenance cycles and accelerate the degradation of the US arsenal on top of depleting Washington’s stockpiles.
-
![UK Royal Navy explores modular counter-drone capabilities for future hybrid fleet]()
UK Royal Navy explores modular counter-drone capabilities for future hybrid fleet
The UK MoD is scoping out systems to counter the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems, with a focus on low-cost modularity and speed to field.
