17 December 2021
The first of 12 Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels - NUSHIP Arafura - has been launched at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia.
First Assistant Secretary Ships Division, Sheryl Lutz, said the Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels were one of the foundational projects in the 2017 Naval Shipbuilding Plan.
“Luerssen Australia is contracted to build 12 offshore patrol vessels, two at Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia and 10 at Henderson Maritime Precinct in Western Australia.,” Ms Lutz said.
Building the first two OPVs in South Australia enabled experienced shipbuilders from the Hobart-class destroyer to be retained and then transitioned to the new Hunter-class frigates, setting the foundation for a continuous sovereign naval shipbuilding industry.
The 80-metre long OPVs will primarily undertake constabulary missions and maritime patrol and response duties.
They will incorporate state-of-the art sensors and command and communications systems, improving operational capability alongside Australian Border Force vessels, other Australian Defence Force units and Australia’s regional partners.
Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Michael Noonan presents a bouquet to Ms Nova Peris to thank her for accepting the role of Ship's Sponsor.
Minister for Defence Peter Dutton said the functions undertaken by the patrol boat were becoming increasingly important.
“As we enter a period of unprecedented regional instability and uncertainty, we again forge ahead with this new capability and with new confidence,” Minister Dutton said.
“By 2030, the shipbuilding workforce will grow to over 2000 here at Osborne as part of the 15,000 workers directly employed under the government’s Naval Shipbuilding Plan.
“These numbers speak obviously of our commitment to building our Navy’s strength to develop our sovereign industrial capabilities and to grow our Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise.”
For more information on the Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise programs visit: www1.defence.gov.au/business-industry/naval-shipbuilding/capability
