Austal Australia delivered the 22nd Guardian-class patrol boat at a ceremony held at the Henderson shipyard on Friday 22 November 2024. The ship, RFNS Timo, was handed over to the Government of Fiji by the Australian Government , as part of the Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP).
Representing the Fijian Government, Hon. Pio Tikoduadua, Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration; Permanent Secretary Mason Smith; and Deputy RFMF Commander Humphrey Tawake received the vessel. Timo is the 3rd Guardian-class to be delivered to Fiji under the PMSP.
The Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA 3036-1) was awarded to Austal in May 2016, with subsequent contract options awarded in April 2018, November 2022 and June 2024, taking the project to 24 vessels, valued at more than A$400 million. The Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project supports 200 direct jobs at Austal and more than 200 indirect jobs nationally, through Australian businesses contracted by Austal.
Through close collaboration with supply chain partners and the Department of Defence, Austal is achieving over 60% Australian Industry Content on the Guardian-class patrol boats and helping to build the National Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise and Australia’s sovereign capability. The following countries are receiving patrol Guardian-class patrol boats:
- Cook Islands
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Marshall Islands
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Timor Leste
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
The Guardian-class patrol boats are 39.5 metres long with a beam of 8 metres and a loaded draft of 2.5 metres. It is capable of 20 knots and at 12 knots possesses a 3,000 nautical mile range. Each vessel can accommodate 23 people. They are supported by Austal’s service centre located in Cairns.
Sources: RAN, RFN, & Austal
