Former HMPNGS Rabaul completes final voyage
Pacific Patrol Boat the former HMPNGS Rabaul has completed its final voyage to Port Macquarie in Australia from Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Island, after 31 years of service with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.
The patrol boat was gifted to Papua New Guinea by Australia in 1987 under the Pacific Patrol Boat programme. The country received a total of four vessels under this programme.
Rabaul will now undergo environmentally responsible disposal. The crew will travel to the Defence International Training Centre and then to Western Australia for training before receiving the first of its four Guardian-class replacement vessels in late November 2018.
The replacement vessels are being delivered under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement programme. Under the programme, Australia is giving 19 Guardian-class vessels to 12 Pacific Island nations. The programme also includes a region-wide aerial maritime surveillance capability, enhancements to regional coordination, sustainment and training support.
The new Guardian-class patrol boats, being built by Austal, will offer enhanced capability to strengthen the region’s maritime security, fisheries protection and response to transnational crime.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![RTX confirms US Marine Corps and US Navy acquire Hadalus UUV]()
RTX confirms US Marine Corps and US Navy acquire Hadalus UUV
RTX told Shephard that the Hadalus UUV has been procured by the US Marine Corps and the Office of Naval Research for operational experimentation as the company prepares additional demonstrations with the US Navy, NATO and AUKUS partners.
-
![Europe’s naval contractors benefit from growing refit and upgrade demand]()
Europe’s naval contractors benefit from growing refit and upgrade demand
Rheinmetall’s order to modernise the German Navy frigate Bayern points to a wider European shift towards extending warship service life as new-build programmes face delay.
-
![The UK joins the movement towards joint procurement]()
The UK joins the movement towards joint procurement
The UK will spend an estimated US$3.89 billion over the next decade in joint naval programmes, a lot of which will be in cooperation with Norway.
-
![Rheinmetall’s GMF 140: Ambitious frigate or market misfit?]()
Rheinmetall’s GMF 140: Ambitious frigate or market misfit?
Rheinmetall has unveiled its first next-generation frigate design, showing ambitions to compete as a surface combatant prime contractor. While the company is targeting North America, analysts believe the concept may be better positioned for future European programmes.
-
![US Navy $76.6bn award provides stability for submarine production]()
US Navy $76.6bn award provides stability for submarine production
The US Department of War’s US$76.6 billion Columbia-and Virginia-class submarine contract gives industry demand certainty as Washington seeks to rebuild its shipbuilding base.
