Australia Navy's officially receives 5th Evolved Cape class patrol boats.

According to a PR published by Austal on June 22, 2023, the firm announces the delivery of the fifth out of eight planned Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats (ECCPB’s) to the Royal Australian Navy by Austal Australia. This vessel, known as ADV Cape Woolamai, was officially accepted by the Commonwealth of Australia.
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Evolved Cape class patrol boat ADV Cape Woolamai. (Picture source: Austal)

Paddy Gregg, Austal Limited's CEO, commended the successful delivery of the fifth Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat, underlining the company's demonstrated shipbuilding expertise, efficiency, and productivity from their Henderson, Western Australia shipyard.

Mr. Gregg stated that the most recent vessel, the ADV Cape Woolamai, is the fifth vessel they have delivered within a 15-month timeframe, launching and delivering a new patrol boat every quarter after roughly a year of construction.

He confirmed their commitment to deliver all eight Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats on schedule by mid-2024 and thanked the Commonwealth for its trust in Austal's team.

The 58-meter aluminium monohull patrol boat is the fifth of eight vessels planned for the Royal Australian Navy since the project began in May 2020. The previous four boats, named Cape Otway, Cape Peron, Cape Naturaliste, and Cape Capricorn, were all delivered within a year, starting from March 2022. Earlier this month, the sixth vessel, the ADV Cape Pillar, was launched at the Henderson shipyard.

The Evolved Capes are designed with larger amenities to house up to 32 people and feature improved quality of life systems and advanced sustainment intelligence systems. These improvements are expected to boost the Royal Australian Navy’s maritime combat capabilities. The boats will be used for various law enforcement and naval missions, playing a vital role in Australia’s national security as high-performing and dependable maritime assets.

Austal Australia currently employs around 400 individuals directly in Western Australia and collaborates with over 300 supply chain partners nationwide to deliver the Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat Project (SEA1445-1) for the Royal Australian Navy.

The company also offers in-service support for the Cape, Evolved Cape, and Guardian-class Patrol Boat fleets operated by the Australian Border Force, Royal Australian Navy, and Pacific Island nations through service centers in Henderson, Western Australia; Cairns, Queensland; and Darwin, Northern Territory.

In addition, Austal Australia is contracted to provide 22 steel Guardian-class Patrol Boats to the Commonwealth of Australia under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA3036-1) and has delivered 15 vessels since 2018.