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
-
![RTX Raytheon advances with the development of new Barracuda mine neutraliser]()
RTX Raytheon advances with the development of new Barracuda mine neutraliser
The new Barracuda version has been engineered to perform enhanced subsea and seabed warfare missions.
-
![Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear]()
Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear
The US Navy does not have a precise date for the award of the procurement contract for the third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer despite having the funds to advance with the programme in FY2025.
-
![US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes]()
US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes
The US Navy (USN) is currently reassessing its acquisition efforts and seeking ways to reduce the multiple delays across the shipbuilding initiatives.
