3,000 nautical miles (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement
23
Armament
Australia shipped the vessels complete, except for weapons.
12.7 mm (0.50 in) machine guns (Solomon Islands)
The Guardian-class patrol boats are a class of small patrol vessels designed and built in Australia and provided to small South Pacific Ocean countries as part of the Australian Government's Pacific Maritime Security Program.[2][3][4]
The class is designed to be updated replacements for the Pacific Forum-class patrol boats provided to its allies from 1987 to 1997.[2][5][6][7][8][9] Australia provided twenty-two Pacific Forum vessels to twelve nations. They were designed to use commercial off the shelf components, to make them easier to maintain for the small nations that would operate them. Australia stood ready to help with training and maintenance, during the duration of the program, because Australia's external security issues were eased if it could count on its sovereign neighbours having resources to police their own external security.
Austal was commissioned to build 19 Guardian-class boats in 2016.[10][11] Austal's contract allows it to market the design to additional customers.[12] Subsequently, an additional three vessels were ordered. Two for Timor-Leste, and one new replacement vessel for the Samoan Nafanua II, which was damaged beyond repair on 5 August 2021.[13] The last vessels are scheduled for delivery in late 2023.
Following a 1979 Australian and New Zealand assessment of Pacific Islands maritime patrol needs and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, it became evident to all parties that the Pacific Islands were in need of several patrol vessels. The Australian Government decided to meet this need by launching the Pacific Patrol Boat Program, in which Australia would gift 22 Pacific Forum-class patrol boat to 12 allied Pacific Island nations between 1987 and 1997. In addition to simply improving diplomatic relations between the countries, Australia benefited by having their external security issues eased as it could count on its sovereign neighbours having resources to police their own waters.[16]
The Pacific Forum vessels were designed to use commercial off the shelf components, to make them easier to maintain for the small nations that would operate them. Though, if needed, Australia stood ready to help with training and maintenance during the duration of the original program. This included refits after fifteen years of operation, which extended the projected service life of the last vessels to 2027.[citation needed]
The Australian government launched the A$2 billion Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Program in June 2014.[2][5][6][7]
There has been political disagreement within Australia as to whether it was sensible for Australia to fund the Pacific class.[citation needed][17] There is reportedly also an element of competition between Australia and China for the affections of the Pacific Islands nations.[citation needed]
Like the class of vessels they will replace, these small vessels will allow Australia's small neighbours to patrol their own economic zones. They will be able to control smuggling, unregulated fishing, and perform search and rescue duties.[11][18][19] A Royal Australian Navy rear admiral said upon the delivery of Taro to the Solomon Islands that the Guardian class "play an important role in tackling our shared regional security challenges [...] We are better positioned to respond to maritime threats, from illegal fishing to transnational crime, by working together, co-ordinating closely, and building our interoperability."[20]
The Guardian class will be slightly larger, will have better sea-keeping capabilities, and their electronics suite will be up to date.[citation needed][21][22]
The Australian government called for submission in March 2015.[11][18] Five consortia submitted designs for the class.[23] Austal was chosen as the contractor in April 2016.
The vessels are a 39.5 metres (129 ft 7 in) long, steel monohull design, capable of traveling 3,000 nautical miles (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph), with a maximum speed of 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph).[2] They are designed to berth a complement of 23 crew members. They have a stern launching ramp for a pursuit boat, also improving search and rescue capabilities.[21][24][25] Austal delivered the vessels without armament, but they are designed to be capable of mounting an autocannon of up to 30 mm (1.2 in) on their foredeck, and a heavy machine gun on either side of their bridge.
The vessel's twin diesel engines provide 4,000 kilowatts (5,400 shp).[11] Sophisticated electronic engine controls will help conserve fuel.
One of the main deck staterooms, a stateroom with two bunks, is equipped with separate ventilation, so it can be used as an infirmary for infectious patients.[3]
The patrol boats operated by Papua New Guinea and Solomons Islands will be armed with 12.7 mm (0.50 in) machine guns.[26][27] Timor Leste has requested that their boats be armed.[28]
During INDO PACIFIC 2022 Austal revealed an up-armed variant of the Guardian dubbed the 40-A with a 20 mm (0.79 in) main gun, two 12.7 mm machine guns and a 20 mm remote weapon system aft.[29]
Design defects
Several design flaws have been identified in finished vessels. The flaws were reported publicly in June 2022, after fifteen vessels had been delivered.[30]
Recipient nations were notified in February 2021 of a vessel experiencing cracking in the coupling between the engine and the gear box. Two separate air quality faults were also discovered in May 2022. The medical bay ventilation system reportedly uses recirculated air, when fresh air is advised. It was also reported that a fault in the exhaust system caused carbon monoxide to enter a normally uncrewed compartment, posing a safety risk.[30][31]
Austal has reportedly "accepted that the problems are latent defects that it will work to resolve."[30]
Orders and delivery
Austal was commissioned to build 19 Guardian-class boats in 2016.[10][11] This was less than the 22 Pacific-class patrol boats Australia ordered for the same recipients back in the 1980s. The Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji and Tonga, who had operated three Pacific-class boats each from the original program, were to be gifted two Guardian-class patrol boats each as replacements. While the patrol boats are gifts and become the recipient's sovereign property upon delivery,[30] the purchase contract contains provisions for Austal to provide maintenance support to the client states, for seven years, out of its Cairns facility.[11]
Australia announced on 19 April 2018 that they ordered two more vessels to gift them to Timor-Leste.[42] They did this by exercising a pre-negotiated option in the original contract, at an additional cost of A$29.7 million.[43] Timor-Leste did not receive Pacific Forum boats in the original program.
In June 2021, the Australian Defence Force agreed to the PNGDF's request to arm their four patrol boats.[26] Two boats had been delivered to Papua New Guinea at the time. It is unclear which armaments will be installed and who will install them on behalf of the ADF.[clarification needed]
During a visit to Apia in June 2022, Foreign MinisterPenny Wong announced that Australia will build an additional vessel to replace Nafanua II, which was damaged beyond repair on 5 August 2021.[13]
Nafanua II at sea in November 2020. She ran aground on 5 August 2021, suffering irreparable damage.
In October 2019, HMPNGS Ted Diro's engines broke down, and she had to be towed to Australia for repairs.[15]
In the winter of 2020–2021, an unidentified vessel experienced cracking in the coupling between the engine and the gear box.[30]
On 5 August 2021 the Samoan Nafanua II ran aground on a reef near Salelologa wharf while transporting police officers to Savai'i to manage a protest.[44] Australian specialists loaded her onto a barge and transported her to Cairns for assessment. She was found to be beyond economical repair, and given back to Australia for disposal.[45] On 21 December 2021 the officer-in-charge of the boat at the time of the accident, Superintendent Taito Sefo Faaoi Hunt, was found guilty on three charges of negligence by a Police disciplinary tribunal.[46] On 4 January he was fined $2000 Samoan tālā and demoted from superintendent to corporal.[47]
In mid-May 2022, an unidentified vessel experienced a carbon monoxide exhaust leak into a normally uncrewed compartment.[30]
^
Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (5 March 2022). "Nafanua II "beyond economical repair": Australia, Samoa Governments". Samoa Observer. Archived from the original on 5 March 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2022. A thorough assessment of the badly damaged Nafanua II patrol boat, which is currently high and dry in an Australian shipyard, has concluded that the vessel is "beyond economical repair". [...] The status of the $30 million tala vessel [...]
^ abcd"Austal Pacific Patrol Boat 40"(PDF). Austal. May 2016. Archived(PDF) from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018. Austal will design, construct and deliver the 19 steel-hulled patrol boats (valued at $280 million) to 12 Pacific Island nations. The contract includes an option for two additional vessels.
^ ab"Australia's Defence Engagement in the Pacific: 2016 Defence White Paper". Australian Navy. 2016. Archived from the original on 22 January 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018. The Pacific Patrol Boats are gifted by Australia as sovereign assets, and have enabled Pacific Island countries to take an active role in securing their own borders and resources – to the benefit of the region overall. The PPBs are used to undertake a wide range of tasks, from fisheries enforcement, to Search and rescue, to movement of ballot boxes.
^"Prime Minister and Minister for Defence - Continuous Naval Shipbuilding". Department of Defence (Press release). 18 April 2016. Archived from the original on 25 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2017. Combined first and second pass approval for the replacement Pacific Patrol Boats. Austal Ships Pty Ltd has been selected as the preferred tenderer to construct and maintain up to twenty-one replacement steel-hulled Pacific Patrol Boats in Henderson, Western Australia.
^ abcdef"Austal Pacific Patrol Boat 40". Naval Technology. 14 December 2018. Archived from the original on 22 July 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018. Under the contract, Austal will offer support services to the replacement patrol boats initially for seven years.
^"Austal approaches completion of Cape class and starts work on PPB-R project". The Royal Institution of Naval Architects. July–August 2017. Archived from the original on 22 January 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018. Austal is currently pursuing export opportunities for variations of the Bay class, Cape class and Guardian class (Pacific) patrol boats, for customers in the Middle East and Asia.
^ ab
Ben Packham (17 October 2019). "Patrol boat gift to PNG back under warranty". The Australian. Retrieved 15 October 2019. HMPNGS Ted Diro, built by Perth shipbuilder Austal, is limping back to Cairns for repairs accompanied by survey ships HMAS Benalla and Shepparton.
^"Semaphore: February 2005". Semaphore magazine. February 2005. Archived from the original on 25 October 2018. Retrieved 24 October 2018. The governments of a number of the Pacific island nations expressed their concern about the need for a suitable maritime patrol force to fulfil their new surveillance requirements. The Australian government responded by instituting a Defence Cooperation Project (DCP), to provide suitable patrol vessels and associated training and infrastructure to island nations in the region. The Pacific Patrol Boat Systems Program Office was created within the Minor War Vessels Branch of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) procurement organisation to manage the DCP[2] and to be the Project Authority.
^Pearlman, Defence calls to scrap Pacific patrol vessels
^ abc"Australia to build 21 patrol boats for its neighbors". Marine Log. 6 March 2015. Archived from the original on 22 January 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018. At a press conference announcing the program, Rear Admiral Mark Purcell, the head of Maritime Systems Division at Australia's Defence Materiel Organisation, noted that the key requirements for these vessels are to be designed and constructed to commercial standards; simple and cost-effective to own, operate and maintain.
^ abc
Morse, Cameron (8 November 2019). "AUSTAL AUSTRALIA DELIVERS 5TH GUARDIAN CLASS PATROL BOAT IN LESS THAN 12 MONTHS". Austal (Press release). Henderson, Australia. Retrieved 14 October 2022. Austal [...] is pleased to announce the on-time delivery of the fifth [...] (GCPB) to [AU DoD]. The vessel, the RSIPV Gizo, was today gifted by the Government of Australia to the Government of the Solomon Islands [...] "Faster, with improved seakeeping, [...] integrated stern launch and recovery [...] carry out border patrols, regional policing, search and rescue and many other operations." [...] "We're continuing to receive great international interest in the Guardian Class, [...] The RSIPV Gizo is one of two Guardian Class Patrol Boats to be delivered to and operated by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, replacing the RSIPV Lata that has been in service since 1988.
^ abcd"The FSS Independence & FSS Micronesia Depart After More Than Thirty Years of Service; Crews to Return with Guardian-Class Patrol Boats" (Press release). PALIKIR, Pohnpei: FSM Public Information. National Government of the Federated States of Micronesia. 14 January 2022. Archived from the original on 13 March 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022. Today, you—the crews of the Micronesia and the Independence—will begin your journey to the State of Western Australia. There, you will say goodbye to these faithful companions, and greet and become trained on the new Guardian-class replacements. [...] I am informed that the new patrol boats are an improvement in every way. The new boats are 39.5 meters long, as opposed to 31.5 meters long; the new boats have a range of 3,000 nautical miles at 12 knots, as opposed to a range of 2,500 nautical miles; the new Guardian-class vessels are equipped with an onboard fast rescue boat, which will greatly improve search and rescue operations; the new boats have a series of quality-of-life improvements, such as a reduction in tank numbers to simplify the fuel system arrangement, simplified monitoring and control of mechanical systems, improved fuel consumption due to electronic control of main engines, and improved access to all voids and bilge spaces for inspection and maintenance, among so many other improvements. [...] handover on March 11th, 2022.
^ ab
Morse, Cameron (17 March 2022). "Austal Australia delivers 9th Guardian Class Patrol Boat" (Press release). Henderson, Australia: Austal. Archived from the original on 18 March 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2022. Faster, with improved seakeeping, better amenities and an enhanced mission capability – including an integrated RHIB stern launch and recovery system [the boat will] carry out border patrols, regional policing, search and rescue [...] The vessel is named after Brigadier General Rochus Lokinap, a former Commander of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force from 1987 to 1992.
^"SEA 3036 Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement". Queensland Government. 9 December 2015. Archived from the original on 21 March 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018. The SEA 3036 Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement (PPB-R) program involves the acquisition and support of up to 21 new vessels to replace a fleet of Pacific-class patrol boats gifted to 12 Pacific Island nations between 1987 and 1997.
^
Michael Arnold (5 February 2019). "Patrol Boats Set To Upgrade Capabilities". Fiji Post Courier. Archived from the original on 7 February 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2019. They are capable of operating in Sea State 4 and are equipped with a "game changing" stern-launched zodiac (inflatable boarding vessel), which is a first for both the PNG and the Australian navy.
^ ab"Austal Australia delivers 7th Guardian-Class patrol boat". Manufacturer's Monthly. 22 September 2020. Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2020. Faster, with improved seakeeping, better amenities and an enhanced mission capability – including an integrated stern launch and recovery system – the Guardian-class Patrol Boat(s) provide the Palau Bureau of Maritime Security with a much improved naval asset to carry out border patrols, regional policing, search and rescue and many other operations domestically and internationally.
^ abcdef
Hurst, Daniel (30 June 2022). "Serious defects discovered in patrol boats Australia supplied to Pacific Islands". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022. Pacific island countries may halt the use of Australian-provided patrol boats after potentially serious defects were discovered, in a blow to a $2.1bn maritime security program. [...] medical bay in the vessel uses recirculated air, rather than fresh air. [...] fault in the exhaust system. It is understood carbon monoxide was entering a compartment.
^
Arthur, Gordon (6 July 2022). "Questions raised over Australia's Guardian ship". Shephard Media. Christchurch. Archived from the original on 9 July 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022. Technical faults have been reported in patrol boats being donated by Australia to its Pacific neighbours. Austal Australia is building 22 Guardian-class patrol boats for Pacific nations, but faults have been identified that have seen a number of vessels awaiting rectification. The chief problem relates to the type's exhaust system.
^
Minister for Defence Industry (31 July 2017). "Pacific Patrol Boat Milestone". Department of Defence (Press release). Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2017. Another milestone has been reached in Australia's continuous naval shipbuilding program with a ceremonial keel laying for the first new Pacific Patrol Boat.
^
Alix Valenti (21 December 2016). "PNGDF Plans Expansion". Asian Military Review. Archived from the original on 28 October 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2017. Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Toropo continued that in 2018, the PNGDF's naval element will receive the first of four Austal 'Guardian' class patrol boats to replace the four Tenix 'Pacific' class patrol boats acquired from Australia in the late-1980s.
^"Austal launches first Guardian class Pacific Patrol Boat". Marine Log. 30 May 2018. Archived from the original on 30 November 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018. Austal Limited (ASX: ASB) today announced the first of 21 Guardian Class, Pacific Patrol Boats (PPB-R) has been launched just two years after the contract was awarded, keeping with the schedule and budget for the project. The first vessel is scheduled for delivery to Papua New Guinea in late October 2018.
^"First Guardian-class PPB-R launched for delivery to Papua New Guinea - Naval Technology". Naval Technology. 30 May 2018. Archived from the original on 30 November 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018. 'This particular boat will be gifted to Papua New Guinea in late-October 2018 and is the first of 21 boats to be gifted to 12 Pacific Island countries and East Timor as part of the Pacific Maritime Security Program.'
^ ab
Michael Arnold (5 February 2019). "PNCFG vessel named after Diro". Fiji Post Courier. Archived from the original on 7 February 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2019. Brig-Gen Diro, who was present for the commissioning of the HMPNGS Ted Diro last Friday, along with Major General Gilbert Toropo (current PNGDF commander) saluted the gesture in what both men described as another illustration of the enduring friendship between PNG and Australia.
^ ab"Australia hands over Guardian-class patrol boat to Tuvalu". Naval Today. 6 April 2019. Archived from the original on 8 April 2019. Retrieved 7 April 2019. The 39.5 meter steel hulled patrol boat was built by Australian shipbuilder Austal under an AUD 335 million program that will see 21 boats gifted to 12 Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste.
^ abChristopher Pyne (7 April 2019). "Guardian Class Patrol Boat gifted to Tuvalu". Australian Ministry of Defence. Archived from the original on 8 April 2019. Retrieved 7 April 2019. Te Mataili II was received by the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, the Right Hon Enele Sosene Sopoaga at a handover ceremony attended by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade, Tourism, Environment and Labour, the Hon Taukelina Finikaso, the Minister for Natural Resources, the Hon Dr Puakena Boreham, and the Commissioner of the Tuvalu Police Service, Commissioner Luka Falefou.
^ ab"Samoa receives Guardian-class Patrol Boat". Mirage News. Henderson, Australia. 16 August 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2019. The Australian Government has today handed over the newest Guardian-class Patrol Boat Nafanua II to the Samoan Government at a ceremony in Henderson, Western Australia. Nafanua II was received by Samoa's Deputy Prime Minister the Honourable Fiame Naomi Mata'afa and the Commissioner of Police Mr Fuivaili'ili Egon Keil.
^ abc"Timor-Leste to receive two patrol boats from Australia". Shephard Media. 20 April 2018. Archived from the original on 23 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018. Australia's Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project is worth over $300 million. A total of 21 Guardian-class patrol boats will built [sic] by Austal and delivered to 13 nations from late 2018. The two vessels for Timor-Leste will arrive in the second half of 2023.
^ ab
Whiting, Gemma (30 May 2018). "AUSTAL LAUNCHES FIRST GUARDIAN CLASS PACIFIC PATROL BOAT". Austal (Press release). Henderson, Australia. Retrieved 14 October 2022. Austal [...] today announced the first of 21 Guardian Class, Pacific Patrol Boats (PPB-R) has been launched just two years after the contract was awarded, keeping with the schedule and budget for the project. [...] with a further contract awarded in April, 2018 for two additional vessels for AU$29.7 million.
^ abcdefghi"Timor Leste's future Patrol Boats". Monch Publishing Group. 19 April 2018. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2018. The PICS will receive their new patrol boats as follows: Cook Islands (1 vessel); Federated States of Micronesia (2 vessels); Fiji (2 vessels); Kiribati (1 vessel); Palau (1 vessel); Papua New Guinea (4 vessels); Republic of the Marshall Islands (1 vessel); Samoa (1 vessel); Solomon Islands (2 vessels); Timor Leste (2 vessels); Tonga (2 vessels); Tuvalu (1 vessel); Vanuatu (1 vessel).
^"Army inspires more women to join navy". The National. 5 July 2018. Retrieved 9 July 2018. The four Pacific-class patrol boats will be replaced by the new Guardian-class patrol boats. The Ted Diro, named after a former PNGDF commander, replaces the HMPNGS Rabaul. The other three arrive from 2019 to 2021.
^ ab
Whiting, Gemma (30 November 2018). "AUSTAL DELIVERS FIRST GUARDIAN CLASS PATROL BOAT". Austal (Press release). Retrieved 29 November 2018. 'The program is now in a full rate of production, with the second vessel, which is destined for Tuvalu, successfully launched on Monday with an additional three vessels in various stages of construction. Austal are already looking at export opportunities for the GCPB' Mr Singleton said.
^ abcd"Keel laying for first Pacific Patrol Boat replacement". Monch Publishing Group. 30 July 2017. Archived from the original on 23 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018. The new 'Guardian' class patrol boats will come to replace the 12 Pacific Island nations' ageing 'Pacific' class patrol boats, which had been gifted by Australia under the PPB programme implemented in 1983. The first vessel is scheduled for delivery to Papua New Guinea, who will receive a total of four patrol boats, by October 2018 and the last vessel is scheduled for delivery by 2023.
^
David Sigston (30 May 2018). "Austal launches first Pacific Patrol Boat". News (AU). Archived from the original on 31 May 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018. The first of a new fleet of patrol boats destined for Australia's Pacific neighbours has been launched by Australian shipbuilder Austal.
^"Austal conducts its first sea trial for Pacific Patrol Boats - Manufacturers' Monthly". Maritime Monthly. 13 August 2018. Archived from the original on 10 October 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018. Austal has commenced sea trials for the first of the Guardian Class Pacific Patrol Boats, as part of the 21 vessels the company will be delivering to the government for the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement (PPB-R) Project.
^"Austal Launched First Guardian Class Pacific Patrol Boat". Navy recognition. 20 June 2018. Archived from the original on 9 March 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2018. The first of 21 Guardian-class, Pacific Patrol Boats (PPB-R) was launched by Austal last month. The first vessel is scheduled for delivery to Papua New Guinea in late October 2018.
^
Whiting, Gemma (8 April 2019). "AUSTAL DELIVERS SECOND GUARDIAN CLASS PATROL BOAT". Austal (Press release). Henderson, Australia. Retrieved 14 October 2022. today announced the on-time delivery of the second Guardian Class Patrol Boat (GCPB) to [AU DoD] and then in a handover ceremony, presented the vessel to the Prime Minister of Tuvalu and his Government. This is the second of 21 GCPBs
^ ab"VOEA Savea's final voyage from Tonga". Matangi Tonga Online. 16 April 2019. Archived from the original on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2022. The VOEA Savea departed Masefield Navy Base for the last time on Saturday, April 13, sailing past the Nuku'alofa waterfront and Royal Palace on its way to Australia. It will be replaced by a new patrol boat named VOEA Ngahau Koula (Golden Arrow).
^
Whiting, Gemma (24 June 2019). "AUSTAL DELIVERS THIRD GUARDIAN CLASS PATROL BOAT". Austal (Press release). Retrieved 14 October 2022. Austal [...] today reports the on-time delivery of the third Guardian Class Patrol Boat (GCPB) to the Australian Department of Defence. In a handover ceremony with the Crown Prince of Tonga, His Royal Highness, Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala, the Commonwealth, represented by Assistant Minister for Defence, the Hon. Alex Hawke MP gifted the vessel to the Government of Tonga. [...] This is the third of 21 Guardian Class
^"King commissions Tonga Navy HQ and patrol boat". Matangi Tonga. Nuku'alofa, Tonga. 16 October 2019. Archived from the original on 17 October 2019. Retrieved 15 October 2019. As Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's Armed Forces (HMAF), King Tupou VI inspected the headquarters and went for a tour on the patrol boat around Nuku'alofa harbour, accompanied by Queen Nanasipau'u and guests.
^"Tonga's first Guardian-class patrol boat to be delivered in June". Baird Maritime. 6 March 2019. Archived from the original on 8 March 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019. Named Ngahu Koula ("Golden Arrow"), the vessel will begin operating under His Majesty's Armed Forces (HMAF) once its first cadre of assigned crewmembers finish their weeks-long familiarisation training.
^ ab
Dave Morley (4 January 2018). "Forging ties in Tonga". Australian Navy. Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018. Lieutenant Commander Ryan, who has been in Tonga for eight months, said the improvements were being carried out to support the arrival of Tonga's two new Guardian-class patrol boats, which are due in mid-2019 and 2021, respectively.
^"Tonga receives Guardian-class Patrol Boat". Mirage News. 21 June 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2019. The Tongan Royal Navy's Ngahau Koula was received by His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala and Captain Sione Ulakai, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff to His Majesty's Armed Forces, at a ceremony in Western Australia.
^ abc"Navy farewells VOEA Pangai". Matangi Tonga Online. Nuku’alofa. 27 April 2020. Archived from the original on 29 April 2020. Retrieved 11 October 2022. The Tongan Navy bid farewell to the VOEA Pangai navy patrol boat on 23 April after almost 30 years of service, operating within Tonga and internationally. [...] Through this program, HMAF received a new guardian class patrol boat, VOEA Ngahau Koula (Golden Arrow), last year and later this year will receive VOEA Ngahau Siliva (Silver Arrow).
^
Whiting, Gemma (16 August 2019). "AUSTAL DELIVERS FOURTH GUARDIAN CLASS PATROL BOAT". Austal (Press release). Retrieved 14 October 2022. Austal [...] is pleased to announce the on-time delivery of the fourth Guardian Class Patrol Boat (GCPB) to the [AU DoD]. The vessel was today gifted by the Government of Australia to the Government of Samoa during a handover ceremony at Austal's Henderson shipyard, attended by the Samoan Deputy Prime Minister the Hon. Flame Naomi Mata'afe and Commissioner of Police, Mr Fuiavailili Egon Lincoln Keil. Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon. Melissa Price MP, represented the Government of Australia.
^"Samoa Commissions Nafanua II". samoaglobalnews.com (Press release). Apia, Samoa: Samoa Global News. Government of Samoa. 17 October 2019. Archived from the original on 12 December 2019. Retrieved 12 October 2022. The new Police Patrol Boat – Nafanua II was commissioned in a brief ceremony yesterday. The ceremony was officiated by the Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi [...] The welcoming of the new $30million tala "Guardian Class Patrol Boat – Nafanua II" is essential to the protection of our blue Pacific,
^
Sapeer Mayron (15 August 2018). "Maritime police get $113,535 boost". Samoan Observer. Archived from the original on 22 August 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018. The change rooms are a necessary addition because in August 2019, the wing will receive an Australian government-funded Guardian Class Patrol Boat, which will be used by both male and female police.
^
Adel Fruean (28 January 2019). "New patrol boat to boost maritime security". Samoan Observer. Archived from the original on 7 February 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2019. Under the Pacific Maritime Security Programme, Samoa will this year receive the Nafanua II – a bigger, more capable patrol boat – to enhance Samoa's capacity to secure its ocean resources and maritime domain.
^"Samoa police patrol boat may be armed". Radio New Zealand. 2 April 2019. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. The service will take delivery of a new state-of-the-art patrol boat, Nafanua II, in September and the Police Commissioner Fuiavailili Egon Keil wants to keep an eye on how the future shapes up with their surveillance work.
^ ab"RSIPF thank Australian gov't". Solomon Star News. 15 June 2018. Archived from the original on 21 July 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2018. Commissioner Varley explains: "The new Guardian class of patrol boats will be much larger with increased capacity and extended range compared to the current Pacific class of patrol boats. This will be great especially for patrolling of Solomon Islands large maritime border."
^ ab"Australia supports Solomon Island's security priorities". Mirage News. 8 November 2019. The Australian Government has today handed over the latest Guardian-class Patrol Boat RSIPV Gizo to the Solomon Islands at a ceremony in Henderson, Western Australia.
^
Sainiani Boila (22 December 2019). "Navy decommissions RFNS Kula". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 22 December 2019. The Fiji Navy says the RFNS will be scrapped and will be replaced by a larger and more capable Guardian Class Patrol boat RFNS Savenaca.
^ ab
Maika Bolatiki (7 March 2018). "Australian High Commissioner Visits RFMF Commander". Fiji Sun. Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2018. Director Peacekeeping Operations and Advisor to the RFMF Commander Lieutenant Colonel Pacolo Luveni said, in this visit Mr Feakes said the replacement of the Kula, a Guardian class patrol vessel will be arriving into Fiji in March 2020 and not in 2022.
^"Australia gifts Guardian-class patrol vessel to Fiji". Shephard Media. 6 March 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020. Austal CEO David Singleton said: 'the Pacific Boat Replacement Project [PPB-R] has really hit its stride, with this sixth Guardian-class Patrol Boat benefiting from a number of innovative production processes that have reduced production time, while maintaining quality.'
^ ab
Rosi Doviverata (7 March 2020). "PM, Delegation Receive Our New Navy Vessel". Fiji Sun. Retrieved 7 March 2020. Mr Bainimarama said the new vessel could not enter the ranks of Fiji's Navy at a more pressing time. "International criminal networks are hitting the Pacific hard -- particularly with the drug trade."
^
Morse, Cameron (6 March 2020). "AUSTAL AUSTRALIA DELIVERS 6TH GUARDIAN CLASS PATROL BOAT". Austal (Press release). Henderson, Australia. Retrieved 14 October 2022. sixth Guardian-class Patrol Boat (GCPB) to [AU DoD]. The vessel, the RFNS Savenaca, was today gifted by the Government of Australia to the Government of Fiji during a handover ceremony [...] attended by the Fijian Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, Australian Minister for Defence Senator the Hon. Linda Reynolds CSC, Australian Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon. Melissa Price MP and Chief of Defence Force, General Angus Campbell AO DSC.
^"Fiji's future Guardian-class patrol boat to honour fallen sailor". Baird Maritime. 25 October 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2019. The vessel honours Seaman Savenaca Naulutuma, a Fiji-born Royal New Zealand Navy sailor who was killed in action while serving aboard the cruiser HMNZS Leander at the Battle of Kolombangara in the Solomon Islands in World War II. Naulutuma and 25 other crewmembers on Leander were killed shortly after their ship was struck by a Japanese torpedo in the early morning hours of July 13, 1943.
^
Rhealyn Pojas (19 March 2019). "Australia to give new ship to Palau to replace Remeliik 1". Island Times. Retrieved 5 October 2019. President Tommy Remengesau, Jr. divulged during a press conference on October 2 that the guardian class patrol boat Remeliik 2, which will replace its predecessor, the PSS Remeliik, will arrive in Palau in June next year.
^
Charbel Kadib (18 September 2020). "Palau to acquire Guardian Class patrol boat". Defence Connect. Retrieved 18 September 2020. Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price will officially hand over the latest Guardian Class patrol boat on behalf of the Commonwealth government to the Republic of Palau, as the government's Pacific Step Up program continues to progress.
^
Morse, Cameron (18 September 2020). "AUSTAL AUSTRALIA DELIVERS 7TH GUARDIAN CLASS PATROL BOAT". Austal (Press release). Henderson, Australia. Retrieved 14 October 2022. The vessel, PSS President H.I. Remeliik II, was today gifted by the Government of Australia to the Government of Palau during a handover ceremony [...] Austal Chief Executive David Singleton said this Guardian-class Patrol Boat delivery was unique as it is the first to take place under COVID-19 restrictions, limiting the attendees at the ceremony. [...] The PSS President H.I Remeliik II is replacing its namesake predecessor, a Pacific-class Patrol Boat that has been in service in Palau since 1996.
^"HMAF'S VOEA Pangai decommissioned after 30-year service". Tonga Broadcasting. Nuku’alofa. 24 April 2020. Archived from the original on 29 April 2020. He adds, the VOEA PANGAI was used to assist operations of the Pacific in Tuvalu in which HM King Tupou VI was a Lieutenant Commander in the Tongan Navy – while he was Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata at the time. He then became the first Commanding Officer of the VOEA PANGAI. His time in charge, according to Commander Tuita included peacekeeping operation in Bougainville in 1994.
^"Tonga to receive new patrol boats from Australia". Tonga Broadcasting. 22 August 2017. Archived from the original on 23 August 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2018. According to Component Commander of the Navy, Commander Haisi Fonohema, Tonga will receive the 2 new patrol boats by 2019-2020.
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Morse, Cameron (2 November 2020). "AUSTAL AUSTRALIA DELIVERS 8TH GUARDIAN CLASS PATROL BOAT". Austal (Press release). Henderson, Australia. Retrieved 14 October 2022. The vessel, VOEA Ngahau Siliva, was gifted by the Australian Government to the Kingdom of Tonga during a handover ceremony at Austal Australia's Henderson shipyard on Friday 30 October; attended by Her Royal Highness, Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tukuʻaho of the Kingdom of Tonga; the Australian Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon. Melissa Price MP, and, RAN Head of Maritime Systems, Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group RADM Wendy Malcolm. Austal Chief Operating Officer and CEO Designate Patrick Gregg said VOEA Ngahau Siliva was the second Guardian-class Patrol Boat delivered to the Kingdom of Tonga under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project and the eighth delivered in total since December 2018.
^"Delivery of Guardian-class patrol boat to Tonga". Australian Department of Defence. 29 October 2020. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020. Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon. Melissa Price MP will represent the Australian Government at the ceremony to hand over the new Guardian-class Patrol Boat VOEA Ngahau Siliva to the Kingdom of Tonga.
^ abc"Vessels decommissioned". The National. Lombrum, PNG. 19 April 2021. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021. The last three such boats decommissioned were HMPNGS Dreger, HMPNGS Seeadler and HMPNGS Moresby. The decommissioning ceremony took place at the patrol boat base in HMPNGS Tarangau. The decommissioning paves the way for the guardian class patrol boats – HMPNGS Ted Diro and NUSHIP Rochus Lokinap which docked on Tuesday. Of the four patrol boats, HMPNG Rabaul, which was decommissioned two years ago, was built first, HMPNGS Dreger was the most operational ship in the fleet. It steamed 383,177.17 nautical miles in a total of 73,000,195.85 hours since commissioning on Oct 11, 1987, clocking 34 years of loyal service.
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John Follett (15 February 2021). "New Patrol Boat". Solomon Star News. Honiara. Retrieved 16 February 2021. THE Australian Government will provide Solomon Islands with its sixth brand-new Guardian-class Patrol Boat named RSIPV Taro in May.
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Patrick Bergin (24 November 2019). "Security challenges rule the waves in Pacific". The Australian. Retrieved 24 November 2019. Next year Fiji, Palau, Kiribati and Tonga will receive their boats. Following this, a new patrol boat will be delivered approximately every three months until 2023. Australia has committed $2bn to the program over the next 30 years.
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Arun Mathew (24 April 2020). "Austal Launches 8th Guardian-Class Patrol Boat". Defpost. Archived from the original on 26 April 2020. The vessel is to be delivered to Kiribati under the Australian Government's Pacific Maritime Security Program. The boat, to be named RKS Teanoai II (301), will replace the Republic of Kiribati Police's Pacific Forum-class patrol boat, RKS Teanoai (301).
^"Kiribati receives new Guardian-class patrol boat from Australia". Asia-Pacific Defense Journal. 21 June 2021. Archived from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2022. Austal Limited has announced that it has delivered the eleventh Guardian-class patrol boat to the Australian Department of Defence, which was handed over to the Government of the Republic of Kiribati
^"Vanuatu welcomes the return of RVS Tukoro". Island Life magazine. 24 August 2016. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2018. The Australian Government, through its Defence Cooperation Program, has demonstrated its long-term commitment to Vanuatu's maritime security, investing almost 800 million vatu (A$10 million) over the past five years in maintaining RVS Tukoro and training her crew to ensure that Vanuatu has an excellent maritime capability until a new patrol boat is delivered in 2021 through the Pacific Maritime Security Program.
^"Joint Statement with the Prime Minister of Vanuatu". Mirage News. 16 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2019. Vanuatu will also receive a replacement Guardian-class patrol boat under the Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP). The PMSP is a $2 billion (over 30 years) program, which consists of replacement Guardian-class patrol boats, integrated aerial surveillance, and enhancements to regional cooperation.
^"FSS Independence, FSS Micronesia depart FSM". PALIKIR, Pohnpei: Marianas Variety. National Government of the Federated States of Micronesia. 14 January 2022. Archived from the original on 15 January 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022. departure ceremony for the Federated States Ship Independence and FSS Micronesia. [...] The two patrol boats, [...], will be returning to Australia. [...] Shortly after arrival, the crews of the Independence and Micronesia will receive extensive training on the new Guardian-class patrol boats, which are part of Australia's Patrol Boat Replacement Program, itself a component unit of the Pacific Maritime Surveillance Program.
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The Shephard News Team (16 March 2022). "Micronesia receives first Guardian-class patrol boat with another to come". Shephard Media. Christchurch. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022. 11 March. FSS Tosiwo Nakayama is one of two 39.5m-long Guardian-class boats destined for the Federated States of Micronesia under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project. Each Guardian-class vessel carries a fast rescue boat powered by two 90hp Yamaha outboard motors, deployed and retrieved by a launch and recovery system fitted at the stern. The vessels are also armed with a 30mm calibre gun along with optional 0.50cal general-purpose machine guns.
^ ab"Visit to Federated States of Micronesia". Mirage News. 29 July 2019. Retrieved 29 July 2019. 'I am very pleased Australia is deepening our support for the Federated States of Micronesia under the Pacific Maritime Security Program, with two new Guardian-class patrol boats to be delivered in 2022,' he said.
^Marise Payne (17 July 2019). "Australian foreign minister to visit Cook Islands". Mirage News. Retrieved 17 July 2019. I will visit the Cook Islands' Patrol Boat, Te Kukupa, which will be replaced with a new Guardian-Class Patrol Boat in 2022 under our Pacific Maritime Security Program.
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Jaynes, Bill (24 May 2022). "FSS Palikir greets FSS Tosiwo Nakiyama in Pohnpei, FSM". youtube.com. Archived from the original on 4 August 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022. On Friday, May 22, 2022, the members of the crew of the FSS Palikir, the 30 year old surveillance vessel in the FSM donated by the Australian Government went to see to greet the crew of the FSS Tosiwo Nakayama, the first of two new ships donated to replace the FSM's older vessels. FSS Palikir is scheduled to be decommissioned in early June and will make the journey to Australia to be trained on the second of the two new vessels.
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Chardel Kadib (26 November 2020). "Australia, Fiji pave way for reciprocal Status of Forces Agreement". Defence Connect. Retrieved 26 November 2020. The ministers also discussed the progress of Australia's Pacific Maritime Security Program, which delivered the first Guardian Class vessel, RFNS Savenaca, to the island nation in March, with the second vessel scheduled for handover in 2023.
^ ab"Australia: 21 Patrol Boat, $300m Deal". Marinelink. 18 April 2018. Archived from the original on 21 June 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018. On current build schedules, the two vessels will be gifted to Timor-Leste in the second half of 2023.
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