Austal has handed over the seventh Evolved Cape-class patrol boat for the Royal Australian Navy in Henderson.
The Evolved Cape program supports Canberra’s effort to replace the navy’s Armidale patrol fleet, which has been operational since the early 2000s, with 58-meter (190.2 feet) monohull boats.
The new vessel, ADV Cape Solander, is the first of two systems planned for delivery in 2024. It will be followed by the eighth boat, the ADV Cape Schanck, later this year.
Austal signed an initial contract for the production of six Evolved Capes in 2020. The company received an order for two additional boats in 2022.
In February 2024, the Australian Department of Defence procured two more platforms for the initiative.
“The Austal Australia team are continuing to demonstrate outstanding capability, productivity and efficiency with the Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat Project, that now comprises ten vessels for the Royal Australian Navy,” Austal CEO Paddy Gregg remarked.
“Our congratulations to the Royal Australian Navy on the delivery of their latest Evolved Cape and our thanks to the Austal team, Department of Defence and our industry partners for their continued dedication, commitment and efforts in delivering this latest, benchmark patrol boat.”
Austal noted that work for the two remaining boats is continuing at its shipyard in Western Australia.
Next-Gen Australian Patrol Boat
The Evolved Cape patrol boat has a 10.6-meter (34.7-foot) beam and a capacity for approximately 20 personnel.
It is powered by twin Caterpillar 3516C diesel engines with 6,770 horsepower each, a bow thruster, and two shafts.
The vessel has a top speed of 25 knots (46.3 kilometers/28.7 miles per hour) and a range of up to 4,000 nautical miles (4,603 miles/7,408 kilometers).
It is equipped with an electronic chart display and information systems, differential GPS, an automatic marine identification tool, an electro-optical sensor, and .50-caliber machine guns.
