On 31 January 2018, the Commonwealth of Australia signed a contract with Luerssen Australia for Project SEA1180 and the acquisition of twelve Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels to replace and improve upon the capability currently delivered by the Royal Australian Navy’s Armidale-class patrol boats.
Luerssen Australia is a subsidiary of the long-established and successful German shipbuilder, Lürssen, and have engaged Australian shipbuilders ASC and Civmec as sub-contractors for the build of two and ten OPVs in Osborne (South Australia) and Henderson (Western Australia) respectively as part of the Continuous Naval Shipbuilding Program.
This presentation provided an overview of the SEA1180 project and discussed some of its goals and challenges from the perspective of a naval architect.
Alistair Smith (L) accepting his certificate and “thank you” bottle of wine
from RADM Trevor Ruting RAN (Rtd)
(Photo courtesy Graham Taylor)
The vote of thanks was proposed, and the certificate and “thank you” bottle of wine presented, by RADM Trevor Ruting RAN (Rtd).
