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| Australian Navy Receives Third Cape Evolved Class Patrol Boat 'ADV Cape Naturaliste' |
International Military - Australian shipbuilder Austal Limited has confirmed it has delivered its third Evolved Cape class patrol vessel to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). This third patrol boat is named ADV Cape Naturaliste and gets hull number 316, as reported by the APDJ website on November 7, 2022.
Austal Chief Operations Officer Paddy Gregg said their shipbuilding productivity had increased, making it possible to deliver the Cape Evolved class patrol boat just 12 months after construction began. Austal also confirmed that the fourth vessel of the class, the ADV Cape Capricorn, has been built and is scheduled for delivery early next year.
It was also stated that the delivery of all Evolved Cape class patrol boats (as many as eight units) will be completed in mid-2024. This Cape Evolved class patrol boat has a length of 58 meters and can accommodate up to 32 personnel.
Together with the larger Arafura class offshore patrol boats, the Cape Evolved class patrol boats will replace RAN's Armidale class patrol boat fleet. Furthermore, the Cape Evolved class patrol boats will be used to carry out border protection and fisheries missions, maritime law enforcement, and maritime defense missions.