Austal Australia Awarded Contract for 2 Additional Evolved Cape Class Patrol Boats for ABF

Austal Limited (ASX:ASB) is pleased to announce that Austal Ships Pty Ltd has been awarded a further contract extension for the construction of two additional Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats for the Australian Border Force (ABF). 

This latest award, valued at over A$135 million brings the total number of Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats contracted to Austal to 14 vessels, reinforcing the long-standing partnership between Austal, the Australian Border Force and the Royal Australian Navy in delivering critical maritime capability for Australia’s national security. 

Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer, Paddy Gregg, said the additional vessels continue to strengthen Maritime Border Command’s readiness and operational reach. 

“Over the past five years, the Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats have proven themselves as highly capable, reliable assets for Australia’s border protection missions. With nine Evolved Capes already delivered and performing exceptionally with the Royal Australian Navy, and two more already under construction for the Australian Border Force, this new order further enhances Australia’s maritime surveillance and response capability across Northern Australia and our vast maritime domain.” Paddy Gregg, Austal Limited CEO 

Austal delivered eight original Cape-class Patrol Boats to the Australian Border Force between 2012 and 2015; these were followed by additional orders and deliveries to the Royal Australian Navy (2 vessels) in 2017 and Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (2 vessels) in 2021.

Since 2020, the Commonwealth of Australia has ordered 12 Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats for the Royal Australian Navy, and Australian Border Force. The addition of these thirteenth and fourteenth Evolved Capes reflects continued confidence in the platform’s performance, Austal’s proven reliability and the strength of Australia’s sovereign shipbuilding capability. 

The Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat design features expanded accommodations for up to 32 personnel, enhanced quality-of-life systems and advanced sustainment technologies to maximise operational availability. The vessels support a wide range of constabulary and naval missions and are a key element of Australia’s border security architecture. 

Construction of the two new patrol boats will take place at Austal’s Henderson shipyard in Western Australia, supported by a proven national supply chain and integrated project teams from the Department of Defence and the Australian Border Force. 

Austal continues to provide comprehensive in-service support for both Cape-class and Evolved Cape-class fleets through service facilities in Henderson (WA), Cairns (QLD) and Darwin (NT). 

Austal Australia also continues to deliver the Guardian-class Patrol Boat program, with 22 of 24 vessels handed over under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA3036-1). 

This ASX announcement has been approved and authorised for release by Paddy Gregg, Austal Limited’s Chief Executive Officer.