The Australian Ministry of Defence has officially received the first of six Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels (OPV) from Luerssen Australia, a subsidiary of NVL Group. This significant milestone is part of the ongoing Project SEA 1180 contract, which was signed on January 31, 2018, establishing a partnership between the Australian government and the German shipbuilder. Construction of the lead vessel, named NUSHIP Arafura, commenced in November 2018, with its launch occurring in December 2021 at the Osborne Naval Shipyard located in South Australia.
Upon delivery to the Defence Ministry, the NUSHIP Arafura will make its way to its designated homeport at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia. There, it will undergo additional testing and evaluation before being officially handed over to the Royal Australian Navy later this year. Deputy Secretary of Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment, Jim McDowell, emphasized the significance of this delivery, stating that it underscores Defence’s dedication to managing complex projects that are crucial for enhancing the capabilities of the Australian Defence Force, with the vessels being constructed domestically.
Luerssen Australia has collaborated closely with local shipbuilders throughout this project. The Adelaide-based Australian Submarine Corporation OPV Shipbuilder played a key role in constructing not only the lead OPV but also the second vessel, NUSHIP Eyre, which was launched in November 2023. The remaining four Arafura-class vessels—Pilbara, Gippsland, Illawarra, and Carpentaria—are currently under construction at the Civmec’s Henderson Maritime Precinct in Perth, Western Australia.
Designed to replace the aging Armidale-class patrol boats, the Arafura-class OPVs are intended to bolster regional maritime engagement throughout the Southwest Pacific and Southeast Asia as part of the Navy Minor War Vessel Fleet. The vessels are tasked with several critical roles, including maritime border patrol, maritime constabulary duties, fisheries patrol, and providing humanitarian and disaster relief.
Each Arafura-class vessel measures 80 meters (262 feet) in length and boasts a beam of 13 meters (42 feet), a draught of 4 meters (13 feet), and a displacement of 1,640 tonnes (approximately 3,605,780 pounds). They can accommodate a crew ranging from 40 to 60 personnel. The patrol boats are powered by two diesel engines, each providing 4,250 kilowatts of power, enabling them to achieve a maximum speed of 20 knots (approximately 37 kilometers or 23 miles per hour) with a range of 4,000 nautical miles (about 4,603 miles or 7,408 kilometers).
The original plan for the Arafura-class project included the delivery of 12 vessels to the Royal Australian Navy. However, due to various delays and challenges, including impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and strategic reviews, this number was subsequently halved in February of the previous year. The first ship, the NUSHIP Arafura, was initially expected to be delivered in December 2021, with commissioning anticipated the following year.
A report by the Australian National Audit Office for the 2022 to 2023 period brought to light several issues, including concerns about structural fire protection and challenges with weapons integration. Notably, it was indicated that the planned main 40-millimeter gun would be scrapped, and the Navy would instead utilize its existing 25-millimeter Typhoon system until a suitable replacement could be secured. After experiencing considerable delays from the original schedule, the first Arafura OPV has now been officially delivered.
