The Royal Australian Navy has welcomed two more Evolved Cape Class Patrol Boats into commissioned service in a ceremony at their homeport of HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin. The ceremony will give Cape Schanck and Cape Solander the designation of His Majesty’s Australian Ships (HMAS), officially recognising their status as commissioned warships in the Royal Australian Navy.
Commander Surface Force, Commodore Terence Morrison, DSM, said the commissioning of the Evolved Cape Class Patrol Boats celebrated the work already conducted by the crew and provided Navy with increased operational capability and greater mission flexibility. “The commissioning of HMAS Cape Schanck and HMAS Cape Solander demonstrates their importance to Australia and the Australian people, and what we stand for as a nation,” Commodore Morrison said. “It also represents Navy’s commitment to protecting Australia and its interests, as well as upholding maritime security and ensuring peace and stability within our region. The Evolved Cape Class Patrol boats, named for capes around Australia’s coastline, have quickly become the backbone of Navy’s commitment to Operation Resolute. Navy is proud to commission these vessels and to have them fly the Australian White Ensign.”
The ships have been operating as Australian Defence Vessels, and will continue to be used for the full spectrum of patrol boat operations, including border, resources and fisheries protection, customs and drug law enforcement operations, and international engagement.
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Why the hell are the RAN continually expected to do the job of Border Force. These should have transferred to the ABF, along with the Officially Interfered with Arafura Class, so the RAN can do the job it is trained to do.
Well how else do you hear up for another tv series of patrol boat? It does look more authentic and dramatical in navy uniforms. Besides the way we are going with the nuclear submarine costs debacle, patrol boats might be all we have left in a surface fleet?
Quite correct Michael. It is a desperate purchase when the government wont purchase according to its regional and coastal responsibities. And still believes in 1942 saviour that will never come. Better placate the population with cash grants and believe that we have no possibility of conflict.
The Australian government refuses to protect Australia it may take a hard core wake up call from Trump to jolt them into reality. Get rid of AUKUS now before we continue to lose billions of dollars can’t see it surviving Trump’s 4 year term anyway.
PLEASE 🙏 START INCREASING THE NAVAL FLEET ASAP AS IT STANDS AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺 CAN BE KING HIT BY CHINESE DEFENCE AT ANYTIME AND NEVER WAKE UP AND LOSE ITS FREEDOM THIS IS NO GUESS WORK AND FACTUAL CITIZENS OF AUSTRALIA WAKE UP
I think you would have a hard time getting sailors for both Navy and ABF. RAN have been doing Border Patrols for years. I was on Attack boats.. was fun and great times..
Very true but there arrogment need to be done ✅ first
I’m from a navy family that spans back to the days of Nelson, and as much as I love ships Other than submarines I think vessels are a water of money
Our Island nation is in itself a ship. We just need to construct surface to air and surface to see missiles that are located around the coast as independently controlled defence locations.We could have up to 200 of these mobile bases for the same price as destroyers or frigates.by creating these mobile bases we can deal with an enemy anywhere of our coastline. Let the new nuclear subs deal with anyone silly enough to send aircraft carriers. We also need to rethink vertical take-off aircraft, so that any sports field can be a permanent or mobile base
If you put all your jets at the one or several bases they are too easy to locate and take out in one operation
I agree. I think we should invest heavily in the BushMaster StrikeMaster systems. As well as the BushMaster DeDrone system. Relatively inexpensive, locally developed and built systems. We should also invest heavily in the GhostShark and GhostBat systems. A few more F35s and continued development of the SCIFiRE system.
I think taking to some Ukrainians might be a good idea, get their views and experience.
Drones are not everything, but cheap precision divery and situational awareness excellent. Any force not talking a good hard look and building not just a capability but the infrastructure and expertise to operate design and build them.
If the RAN want 2 Coast patrol vessels give it to them, asap -an island Navy must be versatile.
How the hell can the navy expect to add these to the ” might” of the RAN when all ships coming in are under gunned? I’ve told my son to not join now because don’t want him killed so an officer or CEO of projects can get another medal at expense of lives…we will have the biggest amount of ” reefs” as a navy unless we take it seriously, and as that is Labor in charge we are doomed.