Australian Navy Strengthens Maritime Surveillance with Ninth Evolved Cape Class Patrol Boat.

According to the Australian Department of Defence, which announced the delivery in an official statement on 10 September 2025, the Royal Australian Navy has taken possession of the ninth Evolved Cape Class Patrol Boat, named ADV Cape Spencer. Built at Austal’s Henderson shipyard in Western Australia under Project SEA1445 Phase 1, this vessel represents another step in the ongoing program to strengthen Australia’s maritime patrol capability and secure its extensive borders. The announcement emphasized that the new platform is intended to enhance civil maritime surveillance and law enforcement while supporting the broader whole-of-government approach to safeguarding national waters.
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At 58 metres long and built from aluminium, the Evolved Cape Class offers a balance of speed, endurance, and adaptability for a range of coastal and offshore tasks (Picture source: Austal)

The Evolved Cape Class is an improved version of the earlier patrol boats that have been operating for years with both the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Border Force. At 58 metres long and built from aluminium, the vessel offers a balance of speed, endurance, and adaptability for a range of coastal and offshore tasks. Its hull form allows operations in demanding conditions, reaching speeds above 25 knots, while the draft of just over three metres enables access to shallow or near-shore areas where illegal activity often occurs. The choice of aluminium construction ensures both lightness and resilience, providing the Navy with a reliable platform for frequent patrols.

One of the key improvements of the Evolved variant lies in its crew capacity and onboard living standards. Earlier patrol boats were often criticised for cramped conditions and limited endurance, issues that made longer missions difficult. The new class can accommodate up to 32 personnel, including embarked teams from the Border Force or specialised units, with improved cabins, galley, and support systems. These changes may seem modest compared to advanced weapons, yet they make a tangible difference in sustaining crews at sea for weeks, reducing fatigue, and keeping patrols effective across long distances.

Armament remains tailored to constabulary duties rather than heavy combat. The vessel mounts a 25 mm autocannon on the foredeck, supported by heavy machine guns positioned for close defence. This provides enough firepower to deter and disable small, hostile craft or enforce maritime law against smugglers, pirates, or illegal fishing fleets. More important, however, is the integration of updated sensors and communications. Modern radar and surveillance equipment link the patrol boat to larger naval units, maritime patrol aircraft, and drones, ensuring that information gathered at sea feeds into a wider operational picture.

The contract for these boats has evolved over time. Initially, six vessels were ordered in 2020. Two more were added in 2022, and another two in 2024, bringing the total for the Navy to ten. Deliveries have occurred at a steady pace of about one every six months. ADV Cape Spencer was launched in April 2025, underwent sea trials during the middle of the year, and entered service in September. The tenth and final boat, ADV Cape Hawke, remains under construction at Henderson and will complete the series for the Navy. Parallel to these deliveries, Austal is also building two additional units for the Australian Border Force, extending the reach of civil maritime law enforcement.

For the Royal Australian Navy, the tactical and operational role of the Evolved Cape Class Patrol Boat is clear. These vessels are not designed for high-intensity combat but for presence and enforcement across Australia’s enormous maritime domain. They intercept illegal fishing vessels, disrupt trafficking routes, and provide rapid response in coastal areas where larger warships are less practical. Their speed and endurance make them ideal for shadowing suspect vessels, boarding operations, and joint missions with aircraft or surveillance drones. They also allow larger surface combatants and submarines to focus on higher-end missions by taking on the day-to-day patrol burden.

Beyond their immediate patrol tasks, the arrival of each new boat has broader geopolitical meaning. Australia’s maritime approaches stretch across the Indian Ocean and into the Pacific, regions where state and non-state actors increasingly test boundaries. Illegal fishing fleets, smuggling networks, and even state-backed maritime militias challenge established rules at sea. Maintaining constant patrols with capable platforms is a visible assertion of sovereignty. It shows that Australia can police its waters effectively without relying exclusively on larger, more expensive warships.

The delivery of ADV Cape Spencer also reflects Australia’s commitment to domestic shipbuilding. By constructing these vessels at Henderson, the government ensures that naval industry skills are maintained onshore, creating jobs and sustaining sovereign capability in production and sustainment. Austal’s facilities in Henderson, Cairns, and Darwin provide ongoing support, ensuring that the fleet remains operational without dependence on foreign yards.

With nine Evolved Cape Class Patrol Boats now in service and the tenth approaching completion, the Royal Australian Navy has significantly strengthened its patrol fleet. While less visible than submarine or frigate programs, these vessels provide the daily enforcement and presence that underpin maritime security. In the context of growing competition in the Indo-Pacific, they represent an essential layer of Australia’s defence posture. The steady progress of Project SEA1445 Phase 1 demonstrates that Defence and Industry cooperation can deliver capability on time and within budget, reinforcing national resilience and sovereignty at sea.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay is a graduate of a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience in the study of conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces, with a strong focus on multilateral cooperation and geopolitics.