Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Defence has told Defence that it isn’t ready to receive the first of two Guardian Class Patrol Boats (GCPB). As a result, the vessel is now idle on a hard stand in Western Australia.
NRTL Aitana (P 101) was launched by Austal in 2023 at the company’s Henderson shipyard. It is one of two GCPBs intended for delivery to Timor-Leste alongside NRTL Laline (P 102).
Australia originally intended to handover the vessels to Timor-Leste in 2023. However, that did not occur and the planned handover date was pushed back to May 2024 by the Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy, during a visit to Timor-Leste in January.
In May, with no GCPBs handed over, the Chief of the Timor Leste Defence Force (F-FDTL), Lieutenant General Falur Rate Laek, reportedly told local media that the GCPBs could not be delivered, as their intended homeport, Port Hera Naval Base, was falling apart.
The F-FDTL, he reportedly said, had also been denied permission to station the vessels in Dili, which would of enabled them to be handed over sooner. In 2019, Australia agreed to upgrade the facilities at Port Hera to accommodate the GCPBs. The status of that work is unclear.
“The Timor-Leste Government has advised Australia that it is not in a position to receive NRTL Aitana,” a Defence spokesperson told ADM.
“Australia remains committed to working with Timor-Leste on shared maritime security interests.”
More Guardians Armed
Timor-Leste is one of four GCPB recipients who have indicated their intent to - or followed through on - arming their patrol boats. In December 2023, Solomon Islands received FN Herstal M2-QCB 12.7mm machine guns from Australia for use onboard its two GCPBs.
Australia has also provided weapons to Papua New Guinea for its fleet. During a ceremony to mark the loss of HMAS AE1 earlier this month, HMPNGS Gilbert Toropo (404) showcased an armament of two medium machine guns.
Tonga’s Royal Navy has also outfitted its patrol boats with a similar armament, albeit without the direct support of Australia.
“Australia has not gifted any weapons for Tonga’s Guardian-class Patrol Boats,” a Defence spokesperson told ADM in July, responding to pictures showing the armament.
Tuvalu and Vanuatu prepare to regain GCPB capability
While the handover of Timor-Leste’s GCPBs has been delayed, Tuvalu’s new boat, HMTSS Te Mataili III (803), is set to be handed over later this year. In early September, AIS tracking data shows that the vessel moved from Austal’s Henderson shipyard to HMAS Stirling, indicating that final crew training has begun.
Tuvalu's original Guardian class patrol boat, HMTSS Te Mataili II (802) was declared beyond economical repair after it, and Vanuatu's RVS Takuare (03), were smashed by twin cyclones while in Port Vila for repairs last year.
Unlike Te Mataili II, RVS Takuare was salvageable and is currently being repaired in Cairns ahead of its return to Vanuatu.
The future of another damaged GCPB - Fiji’s RFNS Puamau (402) - is yet to be determined after running aground on its maiden patrol in June. On 24 September, Fiji’s Home Affairs Minister, Pio Tikoduadua, told Fijian media that a decision had yet to be made on Puamau’s fate.
“RFNS Puamau is a sovereign asset of Fiji and its status is a matter for the Government of Fiji,” a Defence Spokesperson told ADM in response to questions about its status.