Construction has commenced in Australia on the sixth and final Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) of the Arafura class.
The Arafura class OPVs are destined to replace the Armidale class Patrol Boats and have been designed for maritime patrol tasks and response for the Australian Defence Force.
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The Arafura class patrol vessels displace 1,640 tons, are 80 meters in length, 13 meters in width, and have a draft of 4 meters, while the crew consists of forty men with accommodations for another twenty people.
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) vessels are powered by two diesel engines each with 4,250 hp power that allow them to reach a maximum speed of 20 knots, while the range is approximately 7,000 km.
The electronic equipment of the Arafura class OPVs is based on a Saab CMS, Terma SCANTER-6002 X-band surveillance radar, and an EOS-500 electro-optical (EO/IR) fire control and direction system.
The armament consists of a Typhoon RCWS for a 25 mm machine gun and a pair of heavy machine guns caliber 12.7×99 mm. Onboard features also include 2 8.5-meter RHIBs and 1 11-meter RHIB, as well as the necessary equipment for the use of light UAVs.
The Arafuras are derived from the German Lurssen’s OPV-80 and are constructed in two different shipyards in Australia.
Source and photo credit: Australian Ministry of Defence
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