Austal Australia has delivered the 24th and final Guardian-class patrol boat under Canberra’s Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project, with the latest vessel handed over to the Maldives. The ceremony took place at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia and included officials from Australia’s Defence Department, Royal Australian Navy, and the Maldives National Defence Force. With the delivery, Maldives becomes the 14th country to receive a Guardian-class vessel under the regional maritime security initiative launched in 2016. The program was created to strengthen the patrol and coastal surveillance capabilities of partner nations across the Pacific, Indian Ocean, and nearby regions. The Guardian-class design combines features from Australia’s Armidale, Bay, and Cape-class patrol vessels, providing a modern and practical platform for maritime operations. Each vessel is 40 meters long, has an 8-meter beam, and can carry up to 20 personnel. Most are equipped with a 20mm remote weapon station and 12.7mm machine guns. Powered by twin diesel engines producing 2,100 horsepower each, the boats can travel up to 3,500 nautical miles and reach speeds of around 37 kilometers per hour. The final delivery marks a significant milestone in Australia’s long-running regional defense cooperation and maritime assistance strategy.
