The Australian shipyard Austal has now built the tenth patrol boat for the Guardian-class to the country's Ministry of Defence. In a small ceremony, the boat was then immediately handed over to the Solomon Islands, an island nation in the South Pacific. The Guardian-class has a length of 39.5 metres and is based on the designs of the Bay-, Armidale and Cape-Classes.
As part of the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Program, a total of 21 boats are being built in Australia and donated to friendly neighbours in the region. The overall programme agreed in 2016 has a contract value of 335 million Australian dollars. The programme will support twelve island nations, including Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Micronesia and Vanuatu. The RSIPV now handed over Taro is after the Gizowhich was delivered in November 2019, the second and final boat for the Solomon Islands. Both boats will be used by the country's police force in future.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Austal does not believe that the delivery of all 21 units ordered by the end of 2023 is jeopardised.
Vince Connelly, MP, (l.) hands over the deed of gift to Robert Sisilo, High Commissioner of the Solomon Islands
Text: mb; Photos: Austal Australia
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