Austal launches 4th Evolved Cape-Class Patrol Boat, future ADV Cape Capricorn for Royal Australian Navy.

Austal Australia has launched the 4th Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat (ECCPB), the future ADV Cape Capricorn, for the Royal Australian Navy.
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The 4th Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat (ECCPB), future ADV Cape Capricorn (Picture source: Austal)

The vessel, Austal Hull 814, was launched at the Henderson, Western Australia shipyard following approximately 12 months of construction and just 3 months after the launch of the 3rd ECCPB, in June 2022.

Austal Australia is proud to be engaging over 300 suppliers from Western Australia and across the nation to help construct the eight Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats on order from Defence Australia.

With two Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats delivered since May 2020, two currently alongside and four more at various stages of construction, Austral is demonstrating a track record of success and genuine capability to deliver major defence projects for Australia.

The Cape-class Patrol Boat (Austal Patrol 58) is a benchmark naval vessel, designed and constructed by Austal Australia, performing multiple roles for border force, coast guard and naval fleets located in Australia and the Caribbean.

The striking 58.1 metre, aluminium mono-hull patrol boats are able to:

- Undertake 28 day patrols, in conditions up to Sea State 4;
- Sail 4,000 nautical miles before having to refuel;
- Combat the full range of maritime security threats;
- Carry a larger crew to more effectively and safely manage boarding operations;
- Identify, track and intercept an extended range of threats in the maritime domain and gather intelligence and store evidence for matters that may proceed to the courts; and
- Launch two Tender Response Vessels simultaneously.

With two Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats delivered since May 2020, two currently alongside and four more at various stages of construction, Austral is demonstrating a track record of success and genuine capability to deliver major defence projects for Australia (Picture source: Austal)

In May 2020, Austal Australia was awarded a contract to design and construct six 'Evolved' Cape-class Patrol Boats for the Royal Australian Navy.

On 18 April 2022 Prime Minister The Hon Scott Morrison announced that a further two Evolved Cape Class Patrol Boats would be ordered by the Australian Department of Defence in FY2023, bringing the total number of vessels ordered for the Royal Australian Navy to eight.

The new Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats for the Royal Australian Navy include several enhancements that further extend the capability of the proven vessel and the fleet; with modifications developed through the in-service experience of ten Cape-class Patrol Boats already operating with the Navy and Australian Border Force throughout Northern Australia.

On 18 April 2022 Prime Minister The Hon Scott Morrison announced that a further two Evolved Cape Class Patrol Boats would be ordered by the Australian Department of Defence in FY2023, bringing the total number of vessels ordered for the Royal Australian Navy to eight (Picture source: Austal)