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?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Personalised news alerts
- Daily and weekly newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Lockheed Martin strengthens Spanish SPY-7 radar supply chain]()
Lockheed Martin strengthens Spanish SPY-7 radar supply chain
The global defence giant chose a Spanish firm for its work on the Bonifaz-class frigate.
-
![Oostende mine countermeasures vessel begins sea trials]()
Oostende mine countermeasures vessel begins sea trials
The first vessel in the Belgian-Dutch rMCM mine-clearing fleet, the Oostende, has begun its sea trials before officially entering service in 2025.
-
![US Navy places $312 million contract with Textron Systems for landing craft]()
US Navy places $312 million contract with Textron Systems for landing craft
Textron’s latest order for Ship to Shore Connector (SSC), Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) follows on from a contract placed in August 2023 for five LCAC.
-
![Japan to boost surface fleet with new destroyers and missile ships]()
Japan to boost surface fleet with new destroyers and missile ships
Japan is enhancing its naval capabilities with the construction of the 13DDX advanced destroyer and Aegis System Equipped Vessels (AESV), aiming to strengthen its air and missile defence amid increasing security threats, particularly in East Asia.
