Micronesia receives first Guardian-class patrol boat with another to come
The crew of FSS Tosiwo Nakayama. (Photo: Austal)
FSS Tosiwo Nakayama is the first of two 39.5m-long Guardian-class boats for the Federated States of Micronesia, built by Austal under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project.
Austal Australia has delivered its 14th Guardian-class patrol boat to the Australian Department of Defence, the company announced on 11 March.
FSS Tosiwo Nakayama is one of two 39.5m-long Guardian-class boats destined for the Federated States of Micronesia under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project.
Each Guardian-class vessel carries a fast rescue boat powered by two 90hp Yamaha outboard motors, deployed and retrieved by a launch and recovery system fitted at the stern. The vessels are also armed with a 30mm calibre gun along with optional 0.50cal general-purpose machine guns.
The Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project was awarded to Austal Australia in May 2016, with an additional contract option awarded in April 2018 that took the programme to 21 vessels with an overall value exceeding A$335 million ($243 million).
A dozen Pacific Island nations will receive the Guardian-class boats by 2023: 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 supports Guardian-class boats from its service centre in Cairns that hosts a 1,200t-capacity and 80m-long slipway, as well as a 1,120t mobile boat hoist.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Boeing to upgrade Royal Australian Navy communications system]()
Boeing to upgrade Royal Australian Navy communications system
The improvements to the navy fleet are part of a vision to create a single integrated network to enhance transmissions across the Australian Defence Force (ADF) incorporating its naval, air and land forces.
-
![Japanese navy bets on autonomous technology for the future]()
Japanese navy bets on autonomous technology for the future
Faced with persistent recruitment shortfalls, the JMSDF has turned to unmanned surface and underwater systems to maintain operational capability.
-
![First Type 31 frigate for UK Royal Navy rolls out of construction]()
First Type 31 frigate for UK Royal Navy rolls out of construction
Named the HMS Venturer, this roll out marks a pivotal milestone as it moves from the construction phase to then undergo outfitting and systems integration ahead of sea trials.
-
![Japan orders first upgraded Mogami-class frigates for the JMSDF]()
Japan orders first upgraded Mogami-class frigates for the JMSDF
The JMSDF has commissioned the seventh Mogami-class ship as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries advances upgraded frigates and supply vessels.
-
![Japan accelerates naval shipbuilding with new OPVs, destroyers and amphibious craft]()
Japan accelerates naval shipbuilding with new OPVs, destroyers and amphibious craft
Japan Marine United has made advances in OPV construction, as it unveils next-gen DDGX concepts and expands fast-landing craft fleet for island defence.
