Austal delivers ninth Evolved Cape-Class Patrol Boat to Department of Defence

MEDIA RELEASE

10 SEPTEMBER 2025

Austal Australia delivers ninth Evolved Cape-Class Patrol Boat to Department of Defence

Austal Australia has delivered the ninth of ten Evolved Cape Class Patrol Boats (ECCPBs) under contract to the Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group for the Royal Australian Navy.

ADV Cape Spencer (225) is the ninth ECCPB to be constructed at Austal’s Henderson, Western Australia shipyard in just over five years.

Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said the delivery of Cape Spencer further demonstrates the capability, productivity and reliability of Western Australia’s naval shipbuilding industry, and the strong collaboration that exists at the Henderson Defence Precinct.

“With the support of our valued supply chain, industry and project partners, Austal has now delivered nine Evolved Capes to Defence, in a little over five years. That’s an incredible track record of performance, of which everyone involved in the project - from individual contractors and SME’s, to major component suppliers - may be proud,” Mr Gregg said.

“This consistent performance reflects the strength and capability of the Henderson Defence Precinct and the sovereign naval shipbuilding enterprise in Western Australia. As the Commonwealth’s Strategic Shipbuilder, Austal will continue to engage new and existing supply chain partners to deliver Evolved Cape and Guardian Class Patrol Boats, while also preparing for the construction of Landing Craft Medium and, pending Government approval, Landing Craft Heavy vessels for the Australian Army.

“We offer our warmest congratulations to Defence on the delivery of Cape Spencer, and our sincere thanks to the Austal Australia team, supply chain, project and industry partners for their continued support and commitment.”

The SEA 1445 Phase 1 Evolved Cape Class Patrol Boat project, originally awarded for six 58-metre aluminium monohull patrol boats in May 2020, was extended by two additional vessels in April 2022 and a further two in February 2024, bringing the total to ten vessels.

With the delivery of Cape Spencer, one ECCPB (the future Cape Hawke) remains under construction for the Royal Australian Navy, while two more ECCPB’s are also under construction for the Australian Border Force at Austal’s Henderson shipyard in Western Australia.

The Evolved Capes feature larger amenities to accommodate up to 32 people, enhanced quality of life systems and advanced sustainment intelligence systems that further improve the Royal Australian Navy’s operational capability. The patrol boats support a wide variety of constabulary and naval missions and continue to play a critical role in Australia’s national security as a reliable and effective maritime asset.

Austal Australia provides in-service support for the Cape, Evolved Cape and Guardian Class Patrol Boat fleets operated by the Australian Border Force, Royal Australian Navy and Pacific Island nations, through dedicated service centres in Henderson (WA), Cairns (QLD) and Darwin (NT).

In addition to the Evolved Capes for the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Border Force, Austal Australia continues to deliver Guardian Class Patrol Boats under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA 3036 Phase 1) for the Department of Defence, with 22 of 24 vessels contracted delivered since 2018.

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ADV Cape Spencer is the ninth Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat to be delivered by Austal Australia to the Department of Defence under SEA 1445-Phase 1 (Image: Austal)

Media Contact:

Cameron Morse, FTI Consulting

+61 433 886 871

[email protected]