20. Guardian patrol boat delivered by Austal

Austal Australia celebrates another successful delivery, handing over the Republic of Kiribati the 20th Guardian-type patrol, Tobwaan Mainik. The ceremony took place at Austal shipyard in Henderson, stressing the importance of the Australian shipbuilding industry in ensuring safety in Pacific waters.

On July 12, 2024, the official transfer of Tobwaan Mainik, the latest Guardian-type patrolman, took place at the Austal shipyard in Henderson, Australia as part of the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Assistance Program. Patrolman Tobwaan Mainik, built with the Republic of Kiribati in mind, is part of an extensive Pacific patrol unit exchange project aimed at strengthening regional maritime security.

Paddy Gregg, CEO of Austal Limited, stressed the importance of supplying this unit, pointing out that since December 2018, Austal has been supplying new Guardian-type patrols on average every four months.

Our cooperation with the Department of Defense and the Royal Australian Navy The war enables not only to strengthen security in Pacific waters but also supports the local economy by creating jobs in our shipyards and our partners.
Paddy Gregg, CEO of Austal Limited

The project, which started in May 2016, includes the construction of 24 units with a total value of over $400 million Australian. These units, measuring 39.5 metres long, are based on a proven platform that has previously been used in other patrol units such as the Bay, Armidale and Cape types.

This programme continues the long tradition of supporting regional maritime security by Australia. The replacement of 22 Pacific patrols, used by 12 countries in the South Pacific region, by new Austal production units, was financed by the Australian government. Like 30 years earlier, when Pacific patrolmen were also a gift from Australians to less prosperous neighbours, the current programme aims to strengthen cooperation and security in the region.

As part of this program, Guardian-type patrol ships are being handed over to Pacific countries such as Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Micronesia, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Palau, Samoa, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and East Timor.

Written by Mariusz Dasiewicz