The Morrison Government is investing $124 million in two new Evolved Cape Class patrol boats from Austal in WA to continue its commitment to keeping our borders secure and supporting Australian defence industry and jobs.
This additional acquisition will support the continued employment opportunities for around 400 direct jobs and a further 150 jobs across small and medium businesses in Austal’s supply chain, already established under the previous six Evolved Cape Class patrol boats. The new boats bring the total investment in industry for the Evolved Cape Class patrol boats to more than $440 million.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Coalition Government’s plan for a strong economy would strengthen WA’s shipbuilding workforce and support the work of the Navy and Australian Border Force (ABF).
“This investment doesn’t just help secure our borders, it secures hundreds of shipbuilding jobs in Western Australia,” the Prime Minister said.
“Keeping our borders safe is a key priority for my Government, and the acquisition of two more Evolved Cape Class patrol boats will boost the capability of Navy’s patrol force to ensure it is available where and when needed.
“My Government’s record on keeping borders safe, supporting naval capability, and growing our defence industry is in stark contrast to Labor who never commissioned a new naval vessel, oversaw a border security failure, slashed defence spending to the lowest levels since before the Second World War and saw thousands of job losses in our defence industry.
“More shipbuilding work means a strong economy, and a stronger future for this important industry and our Navy and Australian Border Force.”
Minister for Defence Peter Dutton said the acquisition would build our Navy capability and help secure our borders.
“These additional patrol boats will strengthen Navy’s contribution to the nation’s fisheries protection, immigration, customs and drug law enforcement operations,” Minister Dutton said.
“The improved design increases the quality of life for the ship’s company, manages obsolescence and increases the use of Australian supplied equipment.
“These extra boats will also enable Navy to transfer two of its Cape Class patrol boats to the ABF – further strengthening our border defences.
“The Evolved Cape class patrol boats will reduce the risk in Navy’s transition from the ageing Armidale class patrol boat fleet to the new, more capable Arafura class offshore patrol vessels.”
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the acquisition added to the Government’s continuous naval shipbuilding program and ongoing commitment to developing the defence industry in Western Australia.
“This is a great shot in the arm for our shipbuilding skills and jobs pipeline with at least 68 per cent of the contract value being invested in Australian industry,” Minister Price said.
“Australia has some of the best shipbuilders in the world, and right here in WA, Austal are leading the way with the Evolved Cape Class patrol boats.
“This project is in addition to our planned investment of up to $30 billion in dozens of new vessels for our Navy that will be built in WA over the coming decades, supporting 2,000 WA jobs and hundreds of WA businesses in the supply chain.
“WA’s defence industry is at the centre of our plan to develop our sovereign capability so we can build at home what we need to defend our home.”
The two additional vessels are scheduled to be delivered by late 2023, with all eight to be operational by early 2024.