Austal Australia has delivered the tenth Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat (ECCPB) under contract for the Royal Australian Navy, to the Department of Defence, at a ceremony held at the company’s Henderson shipyard in Western Australia. In attendance was Chen Xu, Assistant Secretary Specialist Ships at NSSG, Commodore Ivan Ingham, Senior ADF Officer in Western Australia and Commodore Edward Seymour, Director General Maritime Surface and Above Water Combat.
The ADV Cape Hawke is the tenth ECCPB to be delivered from Austal’s Henderson, Western Australia shipyard in just over five years, marking the successful completion of the Royal Australian Navy’s Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat program.
Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said the delivery of the final vessel represents a significant achievement for Austal, its workforce and the broader Western Australian naval shipbuilding enterprise.
“The delivery of the tenth Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat is a major milestone for Austal and for Australia’s sovereign naval shipbuilding capability,” Mr Gregg said.
"With the support of our valued supply chain, industry and project partners, Austal has delivered all ten Evolved Capes to the Royal Australian Navy in a little over five years. This outstanding record of performance reflects the capability, productivity and reliability of the Henderson Defence Precinct and everyone involved in the program."
Paddy Gregg, Chief Executive Officer, Austal Limited
“This achievement demonstrates the strength of Western Australia’s naval shipbuilding industry and the power of sustained collaboration across government, industry and the supply chain."
“As the Commonwealth’s Strategic Shipbuilder, Austal will continue to engage new and existing partners as we deliver Evolved Cape and Guardian-class Patrol Boats, while preparing for the construction of Landing Craft Medium and Landing Craft Heavy vessels for the Australian Army.”
“For now, we extend our warmest congratulations to the Royal Australian Navy on the delivery of ADV Cape Hawke, and our sincere thanks to the Austal Australia team, supply chain, project and industry partners whose commitment has been critical to the success of this program.”
The SEA1445-1 Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat project was originally awarded for six 58-metre aluminium monohull patrol boats in May 2020. The program was extended by two additional vessels in April 2022 and a further two in February 2024, bringing the total to ten vessels for the Royal Australian Navy.
Two additional Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats are currently 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 (SEA3036-1) for the Department of Defence, with 23 (of 24 vessels contracted) delivered since 2018.
