First (overdue) Arafura-class OPV finally delivered

Defence has accepted the first Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel – NUSHIP Arafura – for further test and evaluation ahead of delivery to the Royal Australian Navy.

FILE PHOTO: NUSHIP Arafura returns to the Osborne Naval Shipyard after conducting sea trials in August 2024. Image provided by Luerssen Australia.

NUSHIP Arafura is the first-of-class vessel delivered under project SEA 1180, built by Luerssen Australia at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia.

This news comes almost six years after the ship’s keel was laid down and more than three years after she was launched.

The Arafura-class vessels will be part of a wider Navy Minor War Vessel Fleet supporting civil maritime security and enhanced regional engagement in the Southwest Pacific and maritime Southeast Asia.

Deputy Secretary Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Jim McDowell said the delivery of the first-of-class vessel to Defence highlights Defence’s commitment to working through complex projects to deliver critical capability to our Australian Defence Force.

NUSHIP Arafura will now sail to its homeport at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia, before commissioning into the Royal Australian Navy fleet later this year.

 

EDITOR’S NOTES: This project, as so many others for and by the ADF, has been mired in controversy, changes, delays and cost over-runs.

This latest press release (above) says the project will deliver just six Arafura-class OPVs, despite an original contract for 12 ships – from an original plan for 20.

Despite the cutback to six ships, the Royal Australian Navy web site (correct as of 31 Jan 2025) still says the fleet will be 12 vessels.

For an in-depth opinion on how this project ran off the rails, this article from Strategic Analysis Australia is a good read.

Does the word ‘shambles’ resonate with anyone? Or is this just par for the course these days?

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