Malta orders patrol vessels

Austal has secured its first European defence contract with an order for four 21.2 metre inshore patrol craft – including training and spares support – with the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM).

The vessels will be built at Austal?s Australian facilities and are scheduled for delivery by the end of the year. Intended to assist the AFM with surveillance and border protection throughout Malta?s coastal waters, the vessels will have a maximum speed of more than 26 knots and will be capable of supporting 7.62mm and 12.7mm guns.

The new order adds to Austal’s current patrol craft contracts comprising six high speed vessels for the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and three patrol catamarans for the Queensland Police. Austal also has contracts to design and build the US Navy?s 127 metre Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and 103 metre Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV).

Managing Director Bob Browning said Austal was fielding increased interest from nations seeking fast and economical aluminium patrol craft for protection against modern-day coastal border security threats.

“Following significant patrol boat deliveries to countries including Yemen, Kuwait and Australia, Austal is pleased to add Malta to its growing defence customer base while making important inroads into the traditionally self-reliant European defence market,” Mr Browning said.

Austal was awarded the contract following a competitive international tender process, which called for a proven design that addressed specific AFM requirements, as well as meeting a demanding delivery schedule.

By utilising a planing aluminium hull, the 21.2 metre inshore patrol craft combines economical performance at all operational speeds with superior sea-keeping in varying sea conditions. AFM responsibilities include maintaining Malta?s territorial waters through combating terrorism and illicit drug trafficking, conducting anti-illegal immigrant and anti-illegal fishing operations, operating Search and Rescue (SAR) services, and physical/electronic security/surveillance of sensitive locations.