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Australian Navy News

22 Feb 2024

Austal Awarded Contract for Two More Patrol Boat Builds

Austal Australia has been awarded a contract extension for two additional Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats for the Royal Australian Navy (Image: Austal Australia)

Shipbuilding group Austal Limited announces that Austal Australia has been awarded a contract extension for the construction of two additional Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats for the Royal Australian Navy.The A$157 million contract follows the procurement announcement made by the Commonwealth of Australia (CoA) on November 23, 2023 and brings the total number of Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats being delivered to the Navy, under the SEA1445-1 Project, to ten.Austal Limited Chief…

22 Feb 2024

Pearlson to Upgrade Shiplift at Australia's Osborne Naval Shipyard

Australian Naval Infrastructure in Osborne, South Australia (Photo: Pearlson Shiplift Corporation)

Pearlson Shiplift Corporation, a subsidiary of The Pearlson Group, announced it has been awarded a multimillion-dollar contract to deliver a large capacity upgrade and extension for Australian Naval Infrastructure (ANI) in Osborne, South Australia.The works will be installed by McConnell Dowell, one of the largest construction companies in the region. Once completed later this year, Pearlson Shiplift Corporation will recommission ANI’s shiplift system as the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.“We are honored to be awarded this project - the largest in the region.

04 Dec 2023

AUKUS Defense Ministers Agree to Bolster Security

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, United States Secretary of Defence, the Hon Lloyd J. Austin III, and United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defence, Grant Shapps.

AUKUS defense ministers have reaffirmed their resolve to bolster security and stability and ensure that the Indo-Pacific remains a region free from coercion and aggression.A statement was released after Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III hosted Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Australia, and Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Defence, United Kingdom, at the Defense Innovation Unit Headquarters in California on December 1.AUKUS is a trilateral security partnership for the Indo-Pacific region between Australia…

22 Nov 2023

Austal Delivers Samoa-bound Patrol Boat

Nafanua III is the 18th Guardian-class Patrol Boat to be delivered by Austal to the Australian Department of Defense under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project SEA3036-1. (Photo: Austal)

Shipbuilding group Austal announced its Austal Australia division has delivered the 18th Guardian-class Patrol Boat (GCPB) to the Australian Department of Defense. The vessel, Nafanua III, was accepted by representatives from the Department of Defense and then gifted by the Australian Government, to the Samoa Police Service at a handover ceremony held at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia on Wednesday.Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said Nafanua III is the third Guardian-class Patrol Boat delivered by Austal in 2023…

06 Oct 2023

Austal Delivers Patrol Boat for Papua New Guinea

The ceremony was attended by Australia’s Minister for Defence Personnel and Minister for Veterans Affairs, The Hon. Matt Keogh MP, and Papua New Guinea Minister for Defence, The Hon. Win Bakri Daki MP. (Photo: Austal)

Australian shipbuilding group Austal announced its Austal Australia arm has delivered the 17th Guardian-class Patrol Boat (GCPB) to the Australian Department of Defense. The vessel, HMPNGS Gilbert Toropo, was then gifted by the Australian Government to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force at a handover ceremony held at the HMAS Stirling naval base in Western Australia.The new Guardian-class Patrol Boat is the fourth of four vessels to be gifted to Papua New Guinea under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project…

01 Aug 2023

Keel Laid for Young Endeavour II

Source: Young Endeavour

Construction of Young Endeavour II has officially commenced at the Birdon shipyard in Port Macquarie, Australia.The Australian Commonwealth Government has ordered the vessel to replace the brigantine Sail Training Ship (STS) Young Endeavour. This vessel is now 35 years old and has been delivering sail training voyages in Australia since 1988.The new sail training ship, to be built over the next three years, will be a barquentine rig, with square sails rigged on the foremast and fore-and-aft sails rigged on the fore…

24 Jul 2023

US Commissions First Navy Warship in Foreign Port

The Independence variant littoral combat ship USS Canberra (LCS 30) arrives in Sydney, Australia July 18, 2023. The ship was commissioned July 22 in Sydney. (Photo: Julie Ann Ripley / U.S. Navy)

The United States commissioned a warship in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday, the first time a U.S. Navy vessel joined active service at a foreign port, as the two close allies step up their military ties in response to China's expanding regional reach.The Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Canberra (LCS-30)—named after a Royal Australian Navy cruiser that was sunk while supporting the U.S. Marine landings on Guadalcanal in 1942—was commissioned at a ceremony at an Australian naval base on Sydney Harbour, officially joining the U.S.

18 Jul 2023

USS Canberra (LCS 30) Arrives in Sydney Ahead of Commissioning

The Independence variant littoral combat ship USS Canberra (LC 30) arrives in Sydney, Australia July 18, 2023. The ship will be commissioned July 22 in Sydney. (Photo: EJ Hersom / U.S. Department of Defense)

The U.S. Navy's Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Canberra (LCS 30) arrived in Sydney, Australia, July 18, ahead of the ship’s ceremonial commissioning.USS Canberra entered Sydney Harbour in formation with Canberra-class landing helicopter dock HMAS Canberra before mooring pierside at the Royal Australian Navy’s Fleet Base East.“We are thrilled to be here in Sydney this week, and to show this city our fast, optimally-manned ship that sails across the seas as a symbol of our navies’ dedication to each other,” said Capt. Marc Crawford, Commodore of Littoral Combat Ship Squadron ONE.

28 Mar 2023

In the Navy:The Role of Advanced Sea Mines in Future Conflicts

Sailors assigned to the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Annapolis (SSN 760) load a MK 67 submarine launched mobile mine (SLMM) onto Annapolis, May 4. Annapolis will be conducting maritime operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to maintain a safe and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zachary Grooman).

When it comes to war, the old adage that the best defense is a good offense rings true. Nowhere is this more the case than naval warfare, where initiative can make the difference between victory and defeat. As an integral part of naval warfare, mine warfare – both mine countermeasures and mine laying, or “offensive” mine warfare - will continue to influence naval operations. Yet the latter of these sub disciplines - the “other” mine warfare, as Admiral James Winnefeld, Jr. calls it - has often been missing from mine warfare discussions.

14 Mar 2023

Australia Outlines $245 Billion Nuclear Submarine Plan

(Photo: Defense Australia)

Australia's nuclear-powered submarine program with the United States and Britain will cost up to A$368 billion ($245 billion) over the next three decades, a defense official said on Tuesday, the country's biggest single defense project in history.U.S. President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Tuesday unveiled details of a plan to provide Australia with nuclear-powered attack submarines, a major step to counter China's…

13 Feb 2023

Austal Delivers Fourth Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat to Australian Navy

(Photo: Austal)

Austal Limited is pleased to announce Austal Australia has delivered the fourth of eight Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats (ECCPB’s) to the Royal Australian Navy. The vessel, ADV Cape Capricorn, was officially accepted by the Commonwealth of Australia.Austal CEO Paddy Gregg said the delivery of the fourth ECCPB highlighted Austal’s consistency in production and efficiencies at the Henderson shipyard.“Austal has now delivered four Evolved Capes to the Royal Australian Navy since the contract was signed in May 2020 and we are launching a new vessel every three months…

07 Nov 2022

Third Cape-class Patrol Boat Delivered to the Australian Navy

(Photo: Austal)

Australian shipbuilding group Austal announced it has delivered the third of eight Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats (ECCPB) to the Royal Australian Navy.The 58-meter aluminum monohull vessel, ADV Cape Naturaliste, was built by Austal Australia and is the third of eight to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy since the contract was signed in May 2020. The first two Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats, ADV Cape Otway and ADV Cape Peron were delivered in March and August 2022, respectively.Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer…

05 Aug 2022

RIMPAC Naval Exercise Brings Together 'Capable Adaptive Partners' from 28 Nations

Republic of Korea Marine Corps Amphibious Assault Vehicles cover and conceal during an amphibious raid for a multinational littoral operations exercise as part of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022, August 1, 2022. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Melanye Martinez)

The 2022 biennial, multi-national Rim of the Pacific's (RIMPAC) exercise has come to a close.This year’s exercise with the theme of “Capable Adaptive Partners,” featured 26 participating nations and 38 surface ships, three submarines, more than 30 uncrewed systems, approximately 170 aircraft, and more than 25,000 personnel.RIMPAC 2022 featured a wide range of capabilities--projecting the inherent flexibility of maritime forces and helping to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, and took place in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California, June 29 to Aug.

05 Aug 2022

Austal Delivers Second Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat

(Photo: Austal)

Australian shipbuilding group Austal Limited announced its Austal Australia arm has delivered the second of eight Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats (ECCPB) to the Royal Australian Navy.The vessel, ADV Cape Peron, was officially accepted by the Commonwealth of Australia.Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer, Paddy Gregg said the delivery of the second Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat highlights the critical importance of the vessel as a capability to the Royal Australian Navy, and…

27 Jul 2022

Attention Turns to Extra Large Unmanned Underwater Vessels

Photo courtesy Anduril Industries

In August, 2021, after years of delays, cost overruns, and rising tensions, the Australian government canceled a A$90 billion order with France’s Naval Group for 12 conventionally powered submarines intended to replace the Royal Australian Navy (RAN)’s aging fleet of six Collins-class attack subs. Overnight, the future of the RAN’s undersea warfare capability was cast into uncertainty. The very next month, however, the United States and the United Kingdom announced a plan to help Australia fill the void…

27 Jun 2022

Does Australia Need ‘Interim’ Submarines to Tide It Over Until Nuclear Boats Arrive?

(File image: Naval Group)

Last year experts raised their eyebrows when the Morrison government announced Australia would abandon its contract for French-built Attack class submarines, in favor of eight nuclear-powered submarines delivered under the AUKUS partnership.Retired Royal Australian Navy Chief Petty Officer Greg Jones was one key individual who questioned whether the choice is appropriate for Australia’s defense needs (at least in the short to medium term).One particularly controversial point is the time it will take for the nuclear submarines to become operational.

27 May 2022

Austal Delivers 15th Guardian-class Patrol Boat

(Photo: Austal)

Shipbuilding group Austal announced its Austal Australia arm has delivered the 15th Guardian-class Patrol Boat (GCPB) to the Australian Department of Defense. The vessel, Te Kukupa II, was then gifted by the Australian Government to the Cook Islands at a certificate signing ceremony at Austal’s shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia.The new Guardian-class Patrol Boat replaces the original Te Kukupa, a Pacific-class Patrol Boat gifted to the Cook Islands in 1989 and recently decommissioned…

13 May 2022

Australia Says Chinese Spy Ship's Presence off West Coast 'Concerning'

People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) Intelligence Collection Vessel Haiwangxing operating off the north-west shelf of Australia. (Photo: Australia Department of Defense)

A Chinese intelligence ship was tracked off Australia's west coast within 50 nautical miles of a sensitive defense facility, Australia said on Friday, raising concern amid an election campaign about China's behavior in the region.Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Chinese navy vessel was not in Australian territorial waters but its presence was "concerning"."It is clearly an intelligence ship and they are looking at us and we're keeping a close eye on them," he told reporters.Australia…

12 May 2022

Raytheon Anschütz Inks Deal for Hunter Class Frigate

Image courtesy Raytheon Anschütz

Raytheon Anschütz signed a contract with BAE Systems Australia’s maritime division for initial design work of an integrated navigation and bridge system for the Royal Australian Navy’s Hunter class frigate program.Raytheon Anschütz will design and manufacture a warship integrated navigation and bridge system (WINBS) for the Hunter class frigate program, which will deliver nine anti-submarine warfare frigates for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The Hunter class frigates are based…

10 May 2022

BMT Offers Updated ELLIDA Multi-role Logistics Ship for SEA2200

The ELLIDA multi-role logistics ship is the third in the family of vessels designed by BMT for the auxiliary market. Image courtesy BMT

BMT will offer an updated concept design from its ELLIDA multi-role logistics ship design family for the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Joint Support Ship project, SEA2200. The ELLIDA family of concept designs was launched in 2019.ELLIDA has the utility to transport and deliver troops, vehicles, equipment and supplies to and from anywhere in the world in support of amphibious warfare and littoral operations, offering a versatile mix of ship-to-shore offloading and logistics capabilities to allow naval operations through landing craft…

04 May 2022

HII Taps BlueZone for REMUS AUV Services in Australia

Credit: HHI

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), the U.S. naval shipbuilder and unmanned systems manufacturer, said Tuesday it had selected its Australian sales partner, BlueZone Group, as an authorized REMUS autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) service center. The Newcastle-based company will provide local support to REMUS AUVs for the Royal Australian Navy and other regional customers.HII and BlueZone Group will host an official agreement signing on May 10, 2022, during the Indo-Pacific International Maritime Exposition at the International Convention Centre in Sydney, Australia.

20 Apr 2022

Austal to Build Two More Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats for Australian Navy

The first Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat, ADV Cape Otway (314) was delivered to the Australian Department of Defence and Royal Australian Navy on 23 March 2022. (Photo: Austal Australia)

The Australian Department of Defense will order an additional two Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats (ECCPB’s) for the Royal Australian Navy from shipbuilder Austal for $124 million. The two new vessels are in addition to the six Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats that are currently being delivered by Austal Australia for the Royal Australian Navy.The announcement was made during a visit by Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, to Austal's Henderson Western Australia shipyard.

23 Mar 2022

Austal Delivers First Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat to Australian Navy

(Photo: Austal)

Australian shipbuilding group Austal announced it has delivered the first of six Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats (ECCPB’s) to the Royal Australian Navy.The 58-meter aluminum monohull patrol boat, ADV Cape Otway, is the first of six to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy under a A$324 million contract awarded to Austal Australia in May 2020. With greater capability than the benchmark Cape-class Patrol Boats, the Evolved Capes feature new, larger amenities to accommodate up to 32 people…

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