Questions raised over Australia’s Guardian ship
This is the Guardian-class patrol boat PSS President HI Remeliik II, which was donated to Palau by Australia. (Department of Defence)
Austal Australia is building 22 Guardian-class patrol boats for Pacific nations, but faults have been identified that have seen a number of vessels awaiting rectification.
The chief problem relates to the type’s exhaust system.
In a statement to Shephard, Austal Australia said it was working with the Australian Department of Defence to ‘develop both temporary rectification measures and a long-term solution to an emerging issue with the exhaust systems on the Guardian-class patrol boats constructed by Austal’.
The shipbuilder added: ‘The supplier of the vessels’ exhaust systems is also providing technical advice to both parties. In addition, Austal is
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