First Guardian-class Pacific Patrol Boat launched in Western Australia

The first of the 21 Austal-built, Guardian-class Pacific Patrol Boats (PPB-R) has been launched, and is scheduled for delivery to Papua New Guinea in late October 2018.

This is the first steel ship program the Australian yard has managed.

The Pacific Patrol Boat contract was awarded in May 2016, worth AU$305 million (US$230 million) for the original 19 vessels and associated service support.

A further contract was awarded in April 2018 for two additional vessels for AU$29.7 million.