Construction of Australia’s third Arafura-class OPV begins in WA
The construction of the third Arafura-class OPV for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has begun at the Civmec shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia.
It is the first ship to be built in the state.
A total of 12 Arafura-class vessels are to be manufactured as part of the Department of Defence’s A$90 billion Continuous Naval Shipbuilding Programme.
The first ship is due to commence active service by 2022 and the programme is currently on schedule, according to Minister of Defence Linda Reynolds.
‘This government’s investment in Australia’s naval shipbuilding programme demonstrates our commitment to strong border protection over greater distances than is currently possible and our commitment in the local economic and creating more jobs for Australian workers,’ she added.
Gradually, the Arafura class will replace the existing Armidale-class and Cape-class patrol boats that entered active service with the RAN in 2005.
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