Additional Guardian-Class Patrol Boat for Australian Pacific Maritime Security Program

Austal’s Guardian-class Patrol Boat provides Pacific Island nations with an improved naval asset to carry out border patrols, regional policing, search and rescue, and many other operations domestically and internationally By DA Staff / 03 Nov 2022

Discover Leading Defense Technology Solutions

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Guardian_hero
Follow DA

The Australian Government has ordered an additional Guardian-class Patrol Boat from Austal Australia for the Pacific Maritime Security Program.

Under the A$15.2 million contract, the 39.5 meter steel hull patrol boat will be constructed in Western Australia and delivered in September 2024. This boat is in addition to the 21 Guardian-class Patrol Boats ordered by the Australian Government under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA3036-1) in 2016, 15 of which have been delivered to 11 Pacific Island nations under the Australian Government’s Pacific Maritime Security Program, since 2018.

“The steel hull Guardian has proven to be an exceptionally capable patrol boat in a short period of time, with 15 delivered to date and operating throughout the South Pacific,” said Austal Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg. “This additional vessel, will further enhance our Pacific Island neighbors’ capability and regional security, and Australia’s naval shipbuilding capability. The Austal Australia team are understandably very proud of the 15 Guardians delivered to date and are pleased to receive an additional order for this effective naval platform – designed and constructed right here in Western Australia, with the help of over 300 suppliers.”

Faster than the previous Pacific-class patrol boats, with improved seakeeping, better amenities, and an enhanced mission capability – including an integrated RHIB stern launch and recovery system – the Guardian-class Patrol Boat provides Pacific Island nations with a much-improved naval asset to carry out border patrols, regional policing, search and rescue, and many other operations domestically and internationally.

The Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA3036-1) was awarded to Austal Australia in May 2016, with an additional contract option awarded in April 2018, taking the program to 21 vessels, valued at more than A$335 million. 12 Pacific Island nations will receive the vessels through to 2023. The Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project supports more than 200 jobs at Austal Australia directly, and a further 200 jobs indirectly, nationally, through Australian businesses contracted by Austal.

Austal Australia’s service center in Cairns, Queensland, featuring a 1,200 ton (80 meter LOA) slipway and a 1,120-ton mobile boat hoist, continues to provide in-service support to the growing Guardian-class Patrol Boat fleet; with more than 100 people employed in a variety of engineering and sustainment roles in the Far North Queensland city. 

The 39.5 meter Guardian-class steel monohull patrol boat – designed, constructed, and sustained by Austal Australia – is based on a proven design platform that has included the 38 meter Bay-class, 56 meter Armidale-class and 58 meter Cape-class patrol boats that are in service with the Australian Border Force and Royal Australian Navy.

Posted by DA Staff Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

Autonomous Tactical Vehicles Deployed for Live Mission Trials

Overland AI deployed its ULTRA autonomous vehicles across 15 live missions, where U.S. Army engineers executed end-to-end operations using OverWatch planning software

Jun 19, 2025
Honeywell Auxiliary Power & Environmental Control Systems Chosen for FLRAA Program

Honeywell’s advanced APU and thermal management technologies have been selected to support the U.S. Army’s next-generation Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft program

Jun 19, 2025
GA-ASI Demonstrates Autonomous Jet with Simulated Shoot Down

GA-ASI's latest test showcases autonomous air combat capabilities, featuring a live simulated shoot-down and seamless software integration using modular open architecture

Jun 19, 2025
New Portable Threat Detection Kit Enhances Mobile Security for U.S. Agencies

ZE Government Solutions has introduced the ZeroEyes Awareness Kit (ZEAK), a rapidly deployable system designed to strengthen threat detection for government and public safety missions

Jun 18, 2025
GA-ASI Collaboration Brings AEW Capability to MQ-9B UAS

GA-ASI and Saab are collaborating to equip the MQ-9B unmanned aircraft with advanced Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) capabilities by 2026

Jun 18, 2025
Q&A: Periphery’s Approach to Cybersecurity & CRA Readiness

This Q&A explores how Periphery’s AI-powered platform secures embedded devices with real-time threat detection, supporting defence applications and EU Cyber Resilience Act compliance

Jun 18, 2025

Featured Content

Trillium Launches Advanced Gimbal for Medium & Long Range Reconnaissance

Trillium Engineering’s new HD45 LV R delivers advanced imaging performance in an ultra-light gimbal, optimized for long range and medium range ISR missions

Jun 11, 2025
Honeywell Unveils New Lightweight Tactical-Grade IMU

Honeywell has launched the HG3900 IMU, a compact tactical-grade unit with reduced size and power consumption while maintaining near-navigation-grade performance levels

Jun 10, 2025
Teledyne Marine Showcases Integrated Maritime Security Capabilities at SeaSEC Challenge 2025

Teledyne Marine joined SeaSEC Challenge 2025 to demonstrate integrated sonar, acoustic, and AUV technologies in live maritime threat scenarios, supporting international efforts to protect critical underwater infrastructure

Jun 05, 2025
Advancing Defense Capability Through Strategic Collaboration Defense Advancement works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive defense capabilities forward.