Henderson-based shipbuilder Austal will build two more evolved Cape-class patrol boat in a $135 million deal inked with the Australian Border Force.
Henderson-based shipbuilder Austal will build two more evolved Cape-class patrol boat in a $135 million deal inked with the Australian Border Force.
It's the second contract win for Austal this week after it inked a $1 billion deal with the Australian Defence Force to design and construct 18 landing craft medium vessels yesterday, and will bring the total number of evolved cape-class boats built by the company to 14.
The 58-metre evolved Cape-class mono-hull patrol boats accommodate up to 32 personnel and are capable of 28-day patrol cycles; sailing 4,000 nautical miles before requiring refuelling.
Both the landing vehicle medium and the evolved Cape-class patrol boats will be built at Austal's Henderson shipyard south of Perth.
Austal chief executive Paddy Gregg said the additional vessels strengthened Maritime Border Command's readiness and operational reach.
"Over the past five years, the evolved Cape-class patrol boats have proven themselves as highly capable, reliable assets for Australia's border protection missions," he said.
"With nine evolved capes already delivering and performing exceptionally with the Royal Australia Navy, and two more already under construction for the Australian Border Force, this new order further enhances Australia's maritime surveillance and response capability across Northern Australia and our vast maritime domain."
The eight original cape-class patrol boats were delivered to the ABF between 2012 and 2015. Two additional boats were built and delivered to the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard in 2021.
The ADF's ninth evolved cape class patrol boat, ADV Cape Spencer, was delivered to Defence in September 2025.
At the time, Defence deputy secretary naval shipbuilding and sustainment David Hanley said the delivery was an important milestone for the country.
"Under project SEA1445 Phase 1, the evolved cape-class patrol boats have been delivered approximately every six months, contributing to Australia's ability to effectively protect our borders and offshore interests," he said.
"Delivery of the ninth evolved cape-class boat is a key example of a shared commitment between Defence and industry to delivering capability to our ADF on time and on budget.
The tenth ADF evolved Cape-class patrol boat, ADV Cape Hawke, is currently under construction in the Henderson shipyard.
Austal continues to deliver the guardian-class patrol boats, with 22 of 24 vessels delivered.
The contract comes a week after South Korean chaebol Hanwha was given the greenlight by Treasurer Jim Chalmers to double its stake in Austal after months of deliberation.
Chalmers' decision, originally due in September, allows Hanwha to increase its Austal ownership from 9.9 per cent to 19.9 per cent, subject to several conditions.
Those conditions include that Hanwha not increase its stake beyond 19.9 per cent.
Also included in the conditions would be limits on Hanwha's access to sensitive information, limits on the storage of sensitive information and "stringent" criteria on any Hanwha nominee to Austal's board.
Details on the exact information Hanwha would be limited on accessing were not given.
Austal shares (ASX:ASB) were up 2.25 per cent on open at time of print.
