Luerssen and Civmec begin fourth patrol boat construction

Luerssen Australia and Civmec have begun welding steel for the fourth Arafura class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) they are constructing for the Royal Australian Navy.

The first two OPVs are already under construction by ASC at the Osborne naval shipyard in Adelaide, with the remaining 10 OPVs to be built at marine engineer Civmec’s Henderson yard south of Perth.

Designed by German shipbuilder Luerssen, the OPVs are 80 metres long with a displacement of 1,640 tonnes.

Designed to operate constabulary missions, maritime patrol and response duties, the vessels will operate alongside Australian Border Force vessels as well as regional partners.

Luerssen Australia chairman, Tim Wagner said the project married his company’s design and technologies with ‘the best of Australian industry capability’.

Picture: Defence.info/offshore patrol vessel

Subscribe to our free @AuManufacturing newsletter here.