Future offshore patrol vessels listed as a “project of concern”

The Australian Government has listed the Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) program as a Defence Project of Concern.

In a statement, the Department of Defence (DOD) said the project has experienced delays in delivery of both the vessels and the associated support system with schedule delays first emerging in 2021.

The vessels are being built for the Royal Australian Navy to replace and improve upon the capability delivered by the Armidale-class patrol boats.

The OPVs are under construction at Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia and the Henderson Maritime Precinct in Western Australia.

The primary role of the OPV will be to undertake constabulary missions and the vessels will perform maritime patrol and response duties for the Australian Defence Force.

Defence and Luerssen Australia will work together to develop a remediation plan to help address delays to the OPV schedule. Both parties will work together to develop a remediation plan to help address delays to the OPV schedule.

The Projects of Concern process brings senior stakeholders from government and industry together to set out an agreed pathway to remediate listed projects.