Austal launches first Guardian-class PPB
Austal has launched the first of 21 Guardian-class Pacific Patrol Boats (PPB), the company announced on 30 May.
The boats are being built under Australia's Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project. The 21 vessels will be delivered to 13 nations from October 2018, while this first boat will be handed over to Papua New Guinea.
The PPBs are 39.5m long with a beam of 8m and a loaded draft of 2.5m. The vessels are capable of travelling 3,000 nm at 12kt, with a maximum speed of 20kt. Each vessel can accommodate 23 people.
Construction work on the second and the third vessels has already begun, while the fourth boat will enter the build phase in June 2018.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Denmark places $184 million contract for Naval Strike Missiles]()
Denmark places $184 million contract for Naval Strike Missiles
The missiles are being purchased through a government-to-government sale with Norway and will be operated from Iver Huitfeldt-class frigates.
-
![Navantia combat systems selected for Chinese-built Thai LPD]()
Navantia combat systems selected for Chinese-built Thai LPD
The landing platform dock, believed to be the largest naval vessel that China has exported, will see the Chinese-built vessel embrace Western technology.
-
![GAO recommends better oversight of support for shipyards in the face of capacity concerns]()
GAO recommends better oversight of support for shipyards in the face of capacity concerns
The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) believes the US industrial base will struggle to meet US Navy (USN) requirements. This follows recent warnings from USN heads of a decline in resources and that the industrial base is under strain.
