Austal has officially handed over the ninth Evolved Cape-class patrol boat to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), continuing a major fleet expansion effort to bolster the country’s maritime security. The vessel, named ADV Cape Spencer (P225), was built at Austal’s Henderson shipyard in Western Australia under a framework contract initiated in 2020.
The Evolved Cape-class program was initially set at six vessels, but its success prompted contract extensions in 2022 and 2024, raising the total order to ten ships. These patrol boats form a critical part of Australia’s layered approach to protecting its vast maritime domain, conducting border security, surveillance, and naval support missions.
Each vessel in the class measures 58 meters in length, carries up to 32 personnel, and is outfitted with modern technologies including digital command displays, optical sensors, automatic tracking systems, and .50-caliber machine guns. These upgrades provide improved detection, monitoring, and engagement capability compared to earlier patrol classes.
Propelled by twin Caterpillar 3516C diesel engines, the patrol boat delivers a combined 6,770 horsepower and can reach speeds of 26 knots. With an endurance of 4,000 nautical miles, the platform offers long-range operational flexibility, enabling the RAN to maintain persistent presence across Australia’s strategic waterways.
