Austal Australia has been awarded a contract to deliver a mid-life remediation program for the Royal Australian Navy’s Armidale Class Patrol Boat (ACPB) fleet.
The ACPB is a 56 metre all-aluminium monohull patrol boat.
Austal is the original designer and builder of the Armidale Class; the company delivered 14 ACPBs from 2005 to 2007.
According to the official announcement, starting this month, the company will undertake a number of hull remediation and configuration changes as well as planned and corrective maintenance work on up to seven (7) ACPB’s at its Henderson, Western Australia shipyard.
“As the original designer and builder of the Armidale Class, Austal is in an ideal position to deliver this important, mid-life enhancement work to a proven naval platform. Our inherent knowledge base and practical experience building and servicing the hard working Armidale fleet will ensure the vessels depart Austal in 2017 as a fully operational and effective capability,” said Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton.
“This order is indeed timely for Austal and ensures that key skills in naval shipbuilding and repair are maintained in Henderson during the lead up to the placement of the Offshore Patrol Vessel contract. Once again, by winning this competitively bid contract, we have demonstrated that Australian shipbuilding can be internationally competitive.”
