Fifth Guardian-class patrol boat delivered
Austal has delivered the fifth Guardian-class patrol boat to the Australian Department of Defence, the company announced on 8 November.
The vessel, RSIPV Gizo, has been gifted by the Australian government to the government of the Solomon Islands as part of Australia’s Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement (PPB-R) programme.
Austal was awarded the PPB-R project in May 2016, with an additional contract option awarded in April 2018, taking the programme to 21 vessels valued at more than $335 million.
Twelve Pacific Island nations are receiving the vessels, including Papua New Guinea, Fiji, the Federated States of Micronesia, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Palau, Samoa, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Timor Leste.
Austal’s service centre in Cairns is providing in-service support to the Guardian class patrol boat fleet.
The 39.5m steel monohull patrol boat is designed for border patrols, regional policing, and search and rescue.
RSIPV Gizo is one of two Guardian-class patrol boats to be delivered to and operated by the Royal Solomon Islands police force.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Production-ready beats prototype-ready in the US Navy’s MUSV marketplace]()
Production-ready beats prototype-ready in the US Navy’s MUSV marketplace
HII, Saronic and Galliano Marine Services have won US Navy production contracts to supply medium uncrewed surface vessels. The marketplace approach behind them sets the bar for suppliers eyeing allied navy competitions.
-
![Anduril’s $6.6bn wager on fixing America’s submarine bottleneck]()
Anduril’s $6.6bn wager on fixing America’s submarine bottleneck
Anduril’s Arsenal-2 is a gamble on a brand-new yard and perfect timing, but with Virginia-class output stuck at 1.1 to 1.2 boats a year, it is a bet worth making.
-
![From REPMUS to procurement: the four capabilities NATO navies want from USVs]()
From REPMUS to procurement: the four capabilities NATO navies want from USVs
Syos Aerospace will channel its first outside capital into research, production and overseas reach as navies seek jam-resistant, integrated uncrewed fleets.
-
![Canada targets 2027 frigate trials for CU179 Peregrine uncrewed helicopter]()
Canada targets 2027 frigate trials for CU179 Peregrine uncrewed helicopter
The Royal Canadian Navy’s CU179 Peregrine will undergo Halifax-class frigate trials in 2027 ahead of initial operational capability in 2028, while River-class destroyer integration arrangements remain undefined.
