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Home» News»Keel Laid for Australia’s third Arafura-class OPV
Today marked the keel laying for the first Arafura-class Offshore Patrol Vessel to be built in WA, HMAS Pilbara (Credit: Melissa Price MP/Twitter)

Keel Laid for Australia’s third Arafura-class OPV

Australia’s National Shipbuilding Program has reached another milestone with the keel laying for the first Arafura-class Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) under construction in Western Australia.

Nathan Gain 11 Sep 2020

Australian Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the keel laying is an important naval tradition that brings good luck to the build of the ship and the life of the vessel by placing a coin under the keel.

“This milestone marks the start of the consolidation phase for the third Arafura Class ship to be built in Australia, named Pilbara by the Chief of Navy”

Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC

“It demonstrates the success of this Government’s Naval Shipbuilding plan, with eight vessels already built and another 10 vessels currently under construction at Henderson and Osborne.

“Western Australia is playing a key role in the development of our national naval shipbuilding enterprise, and the Government’s $4.7 billion OPV program is spearheading the implementation of this plan and connecting with Australian industry.

“Since construction commenced ahead of schedule in March, the Luerssen and Civmec teams in WA have continued to make significant progress on building the blocks that, when complete, will form a 1,600 tonne 80 metre long OPV.

“Made with Australian steel, cut locally in WA, the OPVs will offer greater endurance to undertake maritime patrol and response duties, as well as support specialist missions.”

Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the keel laying was of extra significance for her given the Pilbara was in her electorate of Durack.

“I have no doubt that people in my electorate and the wider WA community will be as proud as I am of the fact that this ship will be known as Pilbara, particularly given the region’s remarkable contribution to this country,” Minister Price said.

“I am very pleased that Luerssen and Civmec have been able to reach this milestone in such a timely manner, and I have no doubt that is due in part to the practices they put in place to deal with COVID-19.

“This project has created about 400 jobs here in Perth and involved more than 300 businesses across the Australian supply chain.

“It is on track to achieve more than 60 per cent local industry content.”

The OPVs are based on the Lürssen PV80 design. The first two vessels are under construction at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia, and will be followed by 10 ships to be built at the Henderson shipyard.

About the Arafura class

Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel on Lurssen stand at PACIFIC 2019.
  • Length: 80 m
  • Beam: 13 m
  • Draught: 4 m
  • Speed: 20 knots (maximum)
  • Range: 7,400 kilometres
  • Displacement: approx. 1,640 t
  • Crew: 40 crew with accommodation for up to 60 personnel
  • Armament: 40mm gun / 2 x 50 calibre machine guns
Arafura-class Australia Luerssen Australia OPV Royal Australian Navy SEA1180 2020-09-11
Tags Arafura-class Australia Luerssen Australia OPV Royal Australian Navy SEA1180
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Authors

Posted by : Nathan Gain
Nathan is based in Namur, Belgium. He holds an MA in modern history with a minor in international relations from the Catholic University of Louvain (UCL – Belgium). Fascinated by military history he naturally turned to the defense sector after graduating and is particularly interested in Northern European and Belgian defense issues as well as in anything related to naval aviation.

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