Austal today announced the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has awarded a sustainment contract worth up to $18 million over three years for the two Cape Class Patrol Boats, Cape Fourcroy and Cape Inscription.
The contract will employ eight directly and 20 indirectly in local contractors and Austal’s own facilities in the Cairns area, with the work in addition to that already undertaken by the company for the Australian Border Force.
The two vessels are being leased to cover a gap in Navy's patrol capabilities since the loss of the Armidale class patrol boat HMAS Bundaberg in a dockyard fire and limitations and maintenance constraints affecting the rest of the class, compounded by extra tasking as a result of Operation Sovereign Borders.
ADV Cape Fourcroy was delivered to the Navy in April 2017 and the delivery of ADV Cape Inscription followed in May.
CEO David Singleton said the deployment of Austal’s Patrol Boats by the Commonwealth will allow export opportunities for Australia by effectively showcasing the vessel with a world class Navy.
“Austal is constantly pursuing opportunities for the Cape Class Patrol Boats and Pacific Patrol Boats to potential overseas customers.”
“Exports derived from defence programs, like Cape, highlight ’the potential multiplier effect’ on local job creation, where Australian suppliers are engaged to deliver both domestic and international contracts,” he said.