Second Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat launched
The second Evolved Cape-class patrol boat, as yet unnamed. (Photo: Austal)
The Evolved Cape-class builds on the capabilities of the in-service Cape-class vessels.
On 5 March, Austal announced the launch of the second of six Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
After 18 months of construction, the 58m vessel was launched at the company's shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia, by Assistant Minister for Defence Andrew Hastie.
Hastie said: ‘This is a great day for WA’s defence industry. Today marks another important milestone in the government’s Naval Shipbuilding Plan - further strengthening our sovereign defence industry capability and delivering the largest regeneration of our naval fleet since the Second World War.’
Austal CEO Paddy Gregg said the first-in-class patrol boat would be handed over in March, with follow-on vessels delivered every four months after that.
Austal was awarded an A$324 million ($238 million) contract for the six vessels in May 2020. Australia operates ten Cape-class boats between its navy and border force, while two have been exported to Trinidad & Tobago.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Evolved Cape Class (1-6) [Australia]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Ireland releases maritime strategy as it looks to new naval bases and stronger partnerships]()
Ireland releases maritime strategy as it looks to new naval bases and stronger partnerships
Ireland has a maritime area ten times the size of its land mass but has a limited naval capacity and faces an ongoing threat to critical underwater infrastructure. A new strategy is looking to address the challenge.
-
![What capabilities are being tested under AUKUS Pillar II?]()
What capabilities are being tested under AUKUS Pillar II?
Collaboration on AUKUS Pillar II extends beyond the core trilateral agreement, presenting global opportunities for companies with advanced technologies.
-
![Australia signs US$2.8 billion ship deal with Austal but puts pressure on company to deliver]()
Australia signs US$2.8 billion ship deal with Austal but puts pressure on company to deliver
The A$4 billion Landing Craft Heavy contract for Austal follows on from a A$1 billion deal in December for Landing Craft Medium ships, but the Australian government has made it clear that a contract for Mogami frigates is reliant on the success of these two contracts.
-
![US Navy to deploy UAVs with standard munitions in long-range strikes]()
US Navy to deploy UAVs with standard munitions in long-range strikes
As part of the Runway Independent Maritime & Expeditionary Strike programme, the US Navy is pursuing drones capable of delivering palletised rounds or 1,000lb-class munitions.
-
![Turkey targets Italian market with strategic partnership on USVs and hybrid platforms]()
Turkey targets Italian market with strategic partnership on USVs and hybrid platforms
Havelsan, VN Maritime and Piloda Defence will collaborate to develop and integrate a range of maritime solutions with a view to secure a first procurement contract in Italy in the first half of this year.
