Austal wins $135m contract to build Australian Border Force patrol boats

The news: Shipbuilder Austal has been awarded a $135 million contract extension for the construction of two evolved cap-class patrol boats for the Australian Border Force.

The numbers: Since 2022, the Australian government has ordered 12 patrol boats of this class for the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Border Force. The latest award will take contracted orders up to 14.

What they said: "Over the past five years, the evolved cap-class patrol boats have proven themselves as highly capable, reliable assets for Australia's border protection missions," said Austal CEO Paddy Gregg.

"With nine evolved capes already delivered and performing exceptionally with the Royal Australian Navy, and two more already under construction for the Australian Border Force, this new order further enhances Australia's maritime surveillance and response capability across Northern Australia and our vast maritime domain."