Austal launches 15th Guardian-class patrol boat Te Kukupa II for Australia.

According to information published by Austal on January 18, 2022, has launched into 2022 with the launch of the 15th Guardian-class patrol Boat to be constructed for the Australian Government Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA3036-1).
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Guardian-class patrol boat Te Kukupa II (Picture source: Austal)

Te Kukupa II, for the Cook Islands Police Service, was launched this week at the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson, Western Australia after a safe transfer by Vulcan Engineering from Austal’s Naval Base shipyard.

The vessel is one of 9 ships that Austal Australia will be delivered to the Commonwealth of Australia in CY2022; including 5 Guardian-class Patrol Boats to be gifted to our Pacific Island neighbors, and 4 Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats for the Royal Australian Navy.

The Guardian-class patrol boats are a class of small patrol vessels designed and built-in Australia and provided to small South Pacific Ocean countries.

The vessels will be 39.5 meters (129 ft 7 in) long, steel monohull design, capable of traveling 3,000 nautical miles (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph), with a maximum speed of 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph).

They are designed to berth a complement of 23 crew members. They will have a stern launching ramp for a pursuit boat. The vessel's twin diesel engines can provide 4,000 kilowatts (5,400 shp).