Austal Australia has delivered the 14th Guardian-class Patrol Boat (GCPB) which was then gifted to the Federated States of Micronesia at a certificate signing ceremony held at Austal’s shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia.
The vessel, FSS Tosiwo Nakayama, is the first of two Guardian-class Patrol Boats to be delivered to the Federated States of Micronesia under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA3036-1), part of the Australian Government’s Pacific Maritime Security Program.
Austal CEO Paddy Gregg said the new vessel was “the first of an unprecedented nine naval ships scheduled for delivery to the Commonwealth of Australia in 2022”, including five Guardian-class patrol Boats and four Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats.
“This first of nine ships to be delivered to the Commonwealth this year highlights Austal’s proven capability to construct multiple naval vessel projects in Australia, simultaneously,” Mr Gregg said.
“We’re very proud of our teams – from Austal Australia, the Department of Defence and our supply chain partners throughout the National Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise, who are continuing to achieve outstanding efficiencies and productivity in the delivery of the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project.
Austal Australia was awarded the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project in May 2016, with an additional contract option given in April 2018, bringing the total number of vessels in the program to 21, valued at over A$335 million.
