Babcock Australasia has successfully completed maintenance on the Australian Navy’s Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel, NUSHIP Arafura (OPV 203), marking a significant milestone in the upkeep of Australia’s maritime assets. The maintenance, which lasted four weeks, was categorized as an Intermediate Maintenance Availability (IMAV) and set a crucial maintenance baseline for the ship.
During this extensive procedure, approximately 4,000 hours were dedicated to precision servicing and ancillary services onboard the vessel. Additionally, the OPV’s rigid hull inflatable boats and rapid intercept craft also underwent servicing, ensuring they are fully operational and ready for deployment.
The upkeep of OPV 203 is part of the Maritime Sustainment Model, an initiative designed to standardize fleet maintenance within the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) while bolstering the country’s industry and promoting sovereign sustainment. This model emphasizes the importance of maintaining high operational standards and efficiency within the naval fleet.
Currently, Australia has six Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels undergoing sea trials, with plans for all units to be handed over to the RAN later this year. These vessels are a crucial component of Australia’s maritime capabilities, replacing the aging Armidale-class patrol boats that have been in operation since 2005.
The Arafura-class OPVs are developed under the SEA 1180 Project, designed to enhance Australia’s premier maritime border patrol capabilities. They will be tasked with various operations, including constabulary functions, fisheries enforcement, and providing humanitarian and disaster relief in coastal regions.
These state-of-the-art vessels are powered by two 4,250-kilowatt diesel engines, allowing them to reach speeds of up to 23 miles (37 kilometers) per hour and cover a range of 4,600 miles (7,400 kilometers). In an effort to further enhance operational readiness, the RAN launched a waterfront training center in Western Australia last year specifically aimed at upskilling Arafura-class operators, ensuring that personnel are well-prepared to manage and operate these advanced maritime assets effectively.
