The vessel, Te Mataili III, was officially accepted by the Commonwealth of Australia by The Honorable Matt Keogh MP, Minister for Defense Personnel and Veterans Affairs, and then gifted to the Pacific Island nation of Tuvalu, represented by Prime Minister, The Honorable Feleti Teo, at a handover ceremony held at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia.
Te Mataili III replaces Te Mataili II, a Guardian-class Patrol Boat that was gifted to Tuvalu in 2019 and operated successfully until damaged beyond economic repair during twin cyclones that hit Vanuatu in 2023.
Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said the delivery of the 21st Guardian-class patrol boat continued to highlight the efficiency of the Austal Australia team, delivering the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project for the Commonwealth of Australia.
“Austal Australia has now delivered 21 Guardian-class Patrol Boats in just five years, which is a fantastic achievement and great demonstration of the capability and efficiency of the Western Australian naval shipbuilding industry,” Mr. Gregg said.
“For five years now, we have been collaborating successfully with our supply chain and project partners (including the Department of Defense), industry stakeholders, and Royal Australian Navy to deliver this important, sovereign capability-building project for Australia and our Pacific Island neighbors.
“Our thanks yet again to everyone who has contributed and continues to contribute to the success of the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project,” Mr. Gregg added.
The Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project was awarded to Austal Australia in May 2016, with subsequent, contract options awarded in April 2018, November 2022 and June 2024, taking the project to 24 vessels, valued at more than $400 million, in total.
The Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project continues to support 200 direct jobs at Austal Australia and more than 200 indirect jobs nationally through Australian businesses contracted by Austal.
Through close collaboration with supply chain partners and the Department of Defence, Austal is achieving over 60% Australian Industry Content on the Guardian-class Patrol Boats and helping to build the National Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise and Australia’s sovereign capability.
The 39.5-meter steel monohull patrol boat—designed, constructed, and sustained by Austal Australia—is based on a proven design platform that has included the 38-meter Bay-class, 56-meter Armidale-class, and 58-meter Cape-class patrol boats that are in service with the Australian Border Force and Royal Australian Navy. Faster than the previous Pacific–class patrol boats, with improved seakeeping, better amenities, and an enhanced mission capability—including an integrated RHIB stern launch and recovery system—the Guardian-class Patrol Boat provides Tuvalu with another effective naval asset to carry out border patrols, regional policing, search and rescue, and many other operations domestically and internationally.
