Login
iscover
As part of the Pacific Maritime Security Program’s Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement project, the Australian government has gifted a Guardian Class patrol boat, the Te Mataili II, to the government of Tuvalu.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
The vessel was gifted at a handover ceremony in Western Australia, and was received by the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Enele Sosene Sopoaga.
The ceremony was attended by the Tuvalu Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade, Tourism, Environment and Labour, Taukelina Finikaso, the Minister for Natural Resources, Dr Puakena Boreham, and Commissioner Luka Falefou of the Tuvalu Police Service.
Minister for Defence Christopher Pyne said he second patrol boat to be gifted under the Pacific Maritime Security Program’s Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement project was an important part of regional security.
“Defence is delivering 21 steel-hulled patrol boats to 12 Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste, which contributes to the nations’ ability to defend against regional maritime security threats,” Minister Pyne said.
“The enhanced capabilities of the latest vessel will enable improved maritime surveillance and law enforcement operations by the government of Tuvalu.”
Austal said it is "pleased to deliver this program for the Commonwealth of Australia", after the on-time arrival of the patrol boat.
"The Guardian Class has brought together the industry-leading skills of over 200 Austal employees, and is estimated to have employed an additional 200 people indirectly through the design, construction and sustainment process, which will continue through the life of the program out to 2023, ” Austal CEO David Singleton said.
Minister for Defence Industry Linda Reynolds noted that the gifting of this vessel marked the start of a busy delivery period.
“The remaining 19 vessels will be delivered to the participating nations approximately every quarter, until the last vessel is gifted to Timor-Leste in October 2023,” Minister Reynolds said.
“The Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement project is worth over $500 million. Australian designer and manufacturer, Austal, estimates it supports around 400 direct and indirect jobs.
“The project is one component of the government’s $2 billion 30-year commitment to the Pacific region under the Pacific Maritime Security Program.”.
Papua New Guinea was the recipient of the first Guardian Class patrol boat in November 2018.
“This is Austal’s first major defence shipbuilding program using a steel hull. It is a reflection of the skills, experience and management of the Austal team that since May 2016 we have developed a brand new facility in Naval Base, WA, designed a production line assembly process, completed the detailed vessel design and are now delivering the second vessel less than three years later,” Singleton said.
