The Royal Australian Navy has commissioned the HMAS Arafura, the first vessel in the Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) into its surface fleet.
This comes after the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) received the Arafura-class OPV, NUSHIP Arafura in January 2025, for further test and evaluation.
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The vessel will patrol and help secure Australia’s maritime border along with the upgraded Cape-class patrol boats.
These OPVs are also tasked with humanitarian and disaster response, fostering regional ties, and supporting various naval operations.
With an extended operational range of 4,000 nautical miles, these new assets can undertake missions that previously would have required multiple ships, the DoD stated.
Moreover, they feature improved living conditions and facilities to better accommodate their crews.
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By GlobalDataDeputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said: “The commissioning of HMAS Arafura marks an important milestone in the implementation of the government’s Surface Fleet Review.
“HMAS Arafura means that the Navy can continue to ensure the safety and security of our maritime borders.
“The commissioning of HMAS Arafura is a turning point, and we will continue to see the Navy introduce new vessels into its fleet.”
German shipbuilder Luerssen Australia built HMAS Arafura at Osborne Shipyard in South Australia. It is delivered under project SEA 1180-1.
NUSHIP Eyre, the second OPV has been constructed and is currently pending Navy acceptance.
Meanwhile, construction on four additional ships is progressing at Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia.
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said: “The Australian Government has worked collaboratively with defence and Luerssen Australia to successfully deliver HMAS Arafura, with another ship on the way and four more under construction at Henderson. The construction of the remaining four ships is on track, and continues the Australian Government’s investment in a productive, continuous naval shipbuilding and sustainment industry.”
The commissioning of the OPV marks a major achievement in the implementation of the Surface Fleet Review.
The analysis from the review highlighted the necessity for the Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels and suggested that they should function in conjunction with the advanced Cape-class patrol boats.
