Austal will construct an additional Guardian class patrol boat for the Department of Defence at a cost of $15.2 million, bringing the total number of vessels ordered through the Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP) to 22. The vessel will replace, either directly or indirectly, Samoa’s lone patrol boat Nafanua II which was written off last year after running aground.
ADM understands that the additional order will extend the Guardian-class production line by approximately eight months, through until early 2024, prior to delivery in September of that year. An Austal spokesperson told ADM that the additional order would have a positive impact on the company’s workforce, helping to retain talent and expertise, without impacting other programs. In a statement, Austal CEO Paddy Gregg said that the company welcomed the order, which the Austal team was ‘understandably very proud’ of.
“This additional vessel will further enhance our Pacific Island neighbours’ capability and regional security and Australia’s naval shipbuilding capability. The Austal Australia team are understandably very proud of the 15 Guardians delivered to date and are pleased to receive an additional order for this effective naval platform,” Gregg said.
ADM understands that the extra vessel is intended for Samoa, however, it’s unclear if it will directly end up in that nation's service. Speaking in Apia earlier this year, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, said that Australia would deliver a replacement in 2023, which doesn’t conform with the announced time frame for boat 22. Rather, ADM understands, a hull originally intended for a different partner country is being reallocated to Samoa so that Nafanua II can be quickly replaced.
It’s not clear which country is having its vessel delayed until 2024, however, ADM understands it is likely one of the Micronesian states will be impacted. These countries all received their Pacific-class vessels relatively late in the construction process and, in the case of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, just completed life extension work in Cairns.
Defence has so far delivered 15 vessels (including Nafanua II) to 11 partner countries in the Pacific The class has been generally well received, despite a series of two technical issues, which have impacted class-wide availability. Speaking during Senate Estimates, Rear Admiral Wendy Malcolm Head Patrol Boats and Specialist Ships Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group (NSSG), told Senators that one issue has already been resolved across the fleet, while a fix for another is being actively trialled in Cairns.