Category: Headlines

Small boats are booming again - the flourishing market for coastguard and combat boats known as offshore patrol vessels is the best proof of this. However, coastal and shallow water operations need to be practised, especially for OPVs, which are usually stationed and operated individually, if these boats are to function together on an ad hoc basis and provide a capability when required. This also applies to the southern hemisphere: Australia recently brought together four of its thirteen ARMIDALE-class patrol boats stationed in the North and South regions in Darwin and practised various scenarios and capabilities together with the amphibious landing ship HMAS CANBERRA and an ANZAC-class frigate. This was the first time since...