Austal Cuts Steel On First Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement & Australia's Continuous Naval Shipbuilding Program

Austal (ASX:ASB) today welcomed the Minister for Defence Industries, the Hon. Christopher Pyne MP, to cut the first steel plate for the first of nineteen Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement (PPB-R) vessels for the Commonwealth of Australia.

Austal CEO Mr David Singleton said the plate-cutting was not only the start of construction for the A$306 million Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement project, but also the Australian Government’s A$89 billion Continuous Naval Shipbuilding Program.

“Austal is incredibly proud to be delivering the Commonwealth’s Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project.  Austal is Australia’s only design, build and sustainment shipbuilding company.”

“Austal has already delivered the Commonwealth’s entire border patrol capability for over 18 years.  The PPB-R project is the largest fleet of steel vessels to be constructed by Austal. This project demonstrates our ability to manage and deliver complex shipbuilding projects for the Australian Government, ” Mr Singleton added.

“The Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement project will also provide opportunities for some of the 100 new apprentices to be recruited by Austal over the coming seven months - and ultimately employ up to 207 Austal employees directly.”

“Upwards of 300 more are expected to be employed across our Australian supply chain, meaning more than 500 people will be engaged with the PPB-R project. We’re building Australia’s sovereign shipbuilding capability, today,” Singleton concluded.

Joining Minister Pyne at the ceremony were Shadow Minister for Defence Issues, Mr Sean L'Estrange MLA, Austal’s Chairman, Mr John Rothwell, Chief Operating Officer Patrick Gregg, HD Plasma and Laser Cutting Services Managing Director Les Archibald and representatives from the Royal Australian Navy, Department of Defence, suppliers and industry.

With the project’s Detailed Design Review and plate-cutting both delivered on-schedule, Austal is on track to deliver the first steel PPB-R vessel in late 2018.

-ENDS-

About the Patrol Boats (SEA3036)

The contract for the SEA3036 Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project was awarded to Austal in May 2016 and comprises the design, construction and sustainment of nineteen 39.5 metre steel patrol boats, to be gifted to twelve Pacific Island nations from 2018 to 2023.

Austal was selected following a competitive tender process against international shipbuilding consortiums, with a cost effective, proven patrol vessel platform and a build strategy that includes a dedicated shipbuilding facility (opened by Minister Pyne on 8^th March 2017), Cairns-based sustainment operations and an established, reliable Australian supply chain with over 325 companies nation-wide.

The Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement project is based on Austal’s proven patrol boat design platform and is 39.5 metres long with a beam of 8 metres and a loaded draft of 2.5 metres. It is capable of traveling at 20 knots and at 12 knots possesses a 3,000 nautical mile range. Each vessel can accommodate 23 people.

Minister for Defence Industry the Hon Christopher Pyne MP cutting steel on the first Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement vessel for the Commonwealth of Australia. (Photo: Austal)

Shadow Minister for Defence Issues, Mr Sean L'Estrange MLA, Minister for Defence Industry the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, Austal Chairman Mr John Rothwell AO and Austal Chief Operating Officer Patrick Gregg at the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement steel cutting ceremony. (Photo: Austal)

Minister for Defence Industry the Hon. Christopher Pyne MP speaking to Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project stakeholders and suppliers at the steel plate cutting ceremony. (Photo: Austal)

About Austal

Austal is a global defence prime contractor and a designer and manufacturer of defence and commercial ships. For more than 28 years Austal has been a leader in the design, construction and maintenance of revolutionary ships for Governments, Navies and Ferry operators around the world. More than 255 vessels have been delivered in that time.

Ships

Defence vessels designed and built by Austal include multi-mission combatants, such as the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) for the United States Navy and military high speed vessels for transport and humanitarian relief, such as the Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) for the United States Navy and High Speed Support Vessel (HSSV) for the Royal Navy of Oman. Austal also designs, constructs, integrates and maintains an extensive range of patrol and auxiliary vessels for government agencies globally, including the Cape Class Patrol Boat Program for Australian Border Force. Defence vessels are designed and constructed in Mobile, Alabama and in Henderson, Western Australia. Austal has been at the forefront of the high-speed ferry market since the early days of the industry. Our market leading designs of high performance aluminium vessels have long been at the heart of Austal’s research and development. Today, commercial ship construction is centred on our shipyard in Balamban, Philippines.

Systems

Austal has expertise in integrating complex systems into its ships, including ride control, ship management, and communication, sensors and weapon systems.

Support

Austal provides a wide range of support services, including through life support, integrated logistics support, vessel sustainment and systems support. These services are delivered through our global support network in the USA, Australia, Asia, and the Middle East together with partner shipyards worldwide.