The first of six Evolved Cape-class patrol boats slated for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) was recently launched at Austal's shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia.
Head Maritime Systems Rear Admiral Wendy Malcolm said the vessels would replace the RAN's Armidale-class patrol boats and would be used as interim patrol platforms until the commissioning of the Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels.
The 58-metre-long boats are being built with a number of enhancements, improving operational capability and crew capacity compared to the vessels already operated by the navy and Australian Border Force.
Austal has commenced construction on the remaining five boats. The next boat in the class will be delivered to the navy early next year.
