Australia has delivered the 12th Guardian-class patrol boat to Vanuatu as part of an overhaul project in 2024.
The handover marks the completion of the RVS Takuare’s extensive hull and internal repairs after being inflicted with “catastrophic damage” when Cyclone Kevin hit in 2023.
The relaunch of the vessel allows the Vanuatuan government to continue its maritime operations over territories and sovereign resources, support humanitarian and disaster relief tasks, and respond to other national priorities and larger maritime security in Oceania.
The ceremony, held in Cairns, was attended by Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Ni-Vanuatu Internal Affairs Minister Andrew Napuat.
“Australia is proud to continue growing our strong defence partnership with Vanuatu, working together to respond and support Vanuatu in maintaining its maritime capability to support a secure and prosperous Pacific,” Marles remarked.
“The return of RVS Takuare to Vanuatu following repairs demonstrates our shared commitment to upholding a deep and ensuring partnership, founded on our values and vision.”
Matching ‘Ambitions’
During the event, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding a bilateral agreement encompassing “a broad range of issues including economic resilience, security, and climate change.”
Plans under this initiative align with Australia’s Pacific Maritime Security Program, a 30-year defense cooperation with Pacific partners that also birthed the Guardian-class program, as well as Canberra’s larger National Defence Strategy.
“We are listening to Vanuatu’s priorities and looking to match their ambition with our own. Australia welcomes the opportunity to enhance its relationship with Vanuatu,” Marles added.
The Guardian System
The Austal-built Guardian-class patrol boat measures 40 meters (131 feet) long and has a beam of 8 meters (26 feet).
It is designed after the Royal Australian Navy’s older Bay, Armidale, and Cape-class patrol boats employed for similar operations.
The new vessel can be armed with 2.7-millimeter machine guns and a 20-millimeter remote weapon system, and can carry more than 20 personnel.
It is equipped with two Caterpillar 3516C diesel engines for a range of 3,500 nautical miles (4,028 miles/6,482 kilometers) and a speed of 37 kilometers (23 miles) per hour.
To date, there are 13 Oceanian partners utilizing the Guardian-class platform.
