The Royal Australian Navy’s latest addition to its fleet, NUSHIP Pilbara (OPV 205), has been officially launched at the Henderson Maritime Precinct. This vessel is the third in the Arafura-class of offshore patrol vessels, a significant program aimed at bolstering Australia’s naval capabilities.
Named after a region in Western Australia renowned for its mining and industrial heritage, the launch ceremony was presided over by Jessica Shaw, Chief Commissioner of Port Hedland, who serves as the ship’s sponsor.
The Arafura-class program, designated as SEA1180 Phase 1, seeks to deliver a total of six offshore patrol vessels by 2029, thereby replacing aging ships currently in service. This initiative aligns with Australia’s 2024 National Defence Strategy, designed to enhance maritime readiness and regional presence.
Significantly, Pilbara is the first of four Arafura-class vessels being constructed at Civmec Defence Industries’ shipyard in Henderson and holds the distinction of being the largest naval ship ever built in Western Australia. This launch follows the successful delivery of HMAS Arafura (OPV 203) and NUSHIP Eyre (OPV 204), both constructed in South Australia earlier this year.
Civmec Defence Industries will now focus on the vessel’s fit-out, followed by sea trials, with plans to hand over the ship to the military next year. In parallel, work continues on the remaining vessels in the class: NUSHIP Gippsland (OPV 206), NUSHIP Illawarra (OPV 207), and NUSHIP Carpentaria (OPV 208), with the keel for the latter laid just last month.
Mark Clay, general manager at Civmec, noted the significance of this project for Western Australia’s defense manufacturing sector. He remarked, “It is fitting that the largest naval ship ever built in Western Australia is named after the Pilbara and is made of steel. This region is known to hold some of the richest deposits of iron ore necessary for steel-making, and Civmec is highly regarded for its steel fabrication capability.”
The Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels are engineered for a variety of essential roles, including coastal patrol, border protection, and disaster relief across Australia’s expansive maritime areas. Equipped with modern communication, navigation, and surveillance systems, these vessels are tailored for security missions throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Measuring 80 meters (262 feet) in length, the NUSHIP Pilbara is powered by twin diesel engines and is armed with a 25-millimeter autocannon along with support machine guns. The vessel is capable of accommodating up to 40 personnel, three rigid hull inflatable boats, and a light unmanned aerial system. With the ability to operate continuously for 21 days and reach speeds of 22 knots (41 kilometers or 25 miles per hour), it boasts a remarkable operational range of up to 4,000 nautical miles (7,408 kilometers or 4,603 miles).
