Australian shipbuilder Civmec has begun construction on the fourth Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) slated for the Royal Australian Navy.
The vessel and nine other sisters will be jointly built by Lürssen Australia and Civmec at the latter's facilities in Henderson, Western Australia.
Once completed, the OPV will measure 80 by 13 metres and will be powered by two 4,440kW diesel engines to deliver a speed of 22 knots. Armament will include a 40-millimetre cannon and two 12.7-millimetre machine guns.
