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The Armidale Class patrol boat has been retired after 14 years of service with the Royal Australian Navy.
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HMAS Glenelg, an Armidale Class patrol boat, has been officially decommissioned at a ceremony held at HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin, attended by Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Jonathan Earley, CSC, RAN.
Since entering service in 2008, HMAS Glenelg has operated alongside Border Force, Australian Fisheries and the Australian Federal Police as part of border protection operations.
This included support for Operations Augury (Philippines,) Solania (south-west Pacific) and APEC Assist (PNG).
The vessel also operated alongside regional counterparts from the likes of Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei.
RADM Earley lauded the service of personnel operating aboard HMAS Glenelg during its 14 years of service.
“HMAS Glenelg and the men and women who have served in the vessel have made a significant contribution to our national interest,” he said.
“The professional and dedicated crews have protected our nation’s borders and offshore maritime interests.”
HMAS Glenelg is the latest Armidale Class patrol boat to be decommissioned as part of the Royal Australian Navy’s transition to 12 next-generation Arafura Class vessels.
The first two Arafura Class vessels were constructed at Osborne Shipyard in South Australia, with the remaining 10 to be built in Henderson, Western Australia.
RADM Earley said the decommissioning ceremony also served as an opportunity to reflect on the future and ongoing renewal of Australia’s maritime fleet, noting the capability benefits of the Arafura Class vessels.
“These boats have greater range and endurance than our existing boats,” he said.
“This will allow Navy to protect Australian interests over great distances and in more complex maritime environments.”
[Related: HMAS Maitland farewelled ahead of Arafura Class transition ]
