Australia has contracted Austal Limited to build two Evolved Cape-class patrol vessels for the country’s border force.
The project, worth 135 million Australian dollars ($89.7 million), increases Canberra’s existing orders of platforms under the series to 14.
The country’s latest investment comes after the company delivered the ninth Evolved Cape, the ADV Cape Spencer (P225), in September.
The initial agreement for the modern patrol boat program was signed in 2020, aimed at enhancing national security through improved offshore surveillance and support for larger naval operations.
“Over the past five years, the Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats have proven themselves as highly capable, reliable assets for Australia’s border protection missions,” said Paddy Gregg, CEO of Austal Limited.
“This new order further enhances Australia’s maritime surveillance and response capability across Northern Australia and our vast maritime domain.”
Austal’s Evolved Cape
The Evolved Cape system measures 58 meters (190 feet) long and can accommodate 32 personnel.
It sails using twin Caterpillar 3516C diesel engines with a combined output of 6,770 horsepower, driving twin shafts with the support of a bow thruster.
For firepower, the vessel can be fitted with a 20 to 30-millimeter remote-controlled weapon system or 12.7-millimeter crew-served machine guns.
The boat has a top speed of 26 knots (48 kilometers/30 miles per hour) and a range of up to 4,000 nautical miles (7,408 kilometers/4,603 miles).
