Austal has opened its vessel sustainment office in Cairns that will support Navy, Border Force and Pacific Island nations’ vessels including the Austal-built Cape Class and the future Pacific Patrol Boats (PPB) that Austal is currently building for the Commonwealth.
Austal’s vice president (Defence) and retired Navy Rear Admiral Davyd Thomas said that the opening of the Cairns office marked the next big step for Austal’s national expansion.
“Cairns and Darwin are the two most important naval bases in northern Australia. They provide essential sustainment support for Australia’s naval maritime requirements, including support for the Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) in the future.
“Given our sustainment program on the Cape Class fleet and upcoming work on the PPB support, it makes sense that Austal establish a more prominent and permanent base in Cairns.
The 12 Pacific Island nations that will benefit from the 19 vessel PPB program will also utilise the Austal facility for the vessels' sustainment.
“As the last of ten Cape Class Patrol Boats have been delivered and we are underway on constructing the first of the Pacific Patrol Boats, it is important that we continue to build our team and our local supply chain here in Cairns now,” Thomas continued.
“Later this month we will also be officially opening our Adelaide design office to support the Australian Government’s OPV project.”
While in Cairns, Thomas will also host supplier engagement forums for the company’s bid for the $3 billion OPV program.