Cape Schanck Patrol Boat. Photo: X @austal
The Royal Australian Navy has received the eighth Evolved Cape-class patrol boat, named Cape Schanck, supplied by Austal Australia, the company responsible for its construction.
+ Click here to watch the Cape Schanck Patrol Boat test video
This boat is part of the Sea 1445 Phase 1 project, initiated in 2020 with an initial order of six vessels. The demand was expanded with two additional boats ordered in April 2022 and another two in February 2024.
Of the vessels acquired, eight are designated for the Navy’s patrol boat group, while the ninth and tenth will be used for training sailors. “We secured the contract with the Evolved Capes in May 2020, and now, less than five years later, we have delivered eight boats despite the challenges of the COVID pandemic. Additionally, we have delivered 24 Guardian-class patrol boats for the Commonwealth of Australia,” said Paddy Greg, CEO of Austal. He also highlighted the performance efficiency, with an average delivery of one 58-meter vessel every 6 to 7 months.
The Evolved Cape-class boats, like Cape Schanck, measure 57.8 meters in length, 10.3 meters in width, and have a draft of 3 meters. Equipped with two Caterpillar 3516C diesel engines, with a total output of 5050 kW (6770 hp), and a 160 kW (210 hp) bow thruster, these boats can reach speeds of up to 25 knots, with a cruising range of 4000 nautical miles and an endurance of up to 28 days. The crew consists of 18 people, and each vessel can accommodate two high-speed RIBs with a rigid hull, each 7 meters long. In terms of armament, they are equipped with two 12.7 mm machine guns.
The Evolved Cape-class boats will replace the Armidale class in the fleet, serving temporarily as the primary platform until the new Arafura-class patrol ships are incorporated.
Source: austal. Photo and video: X @austal. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
