The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has launched its third Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel, NUSHIP Pilbara (OPV 205), at the Henderson Maritime Precinct in Western Australia. The vessel, named after the Pilbara region, is the first of four Arafura-class ships being assembled by Civmec Defence Industries (CDI), making it the largest naval vessel built in Western Australia to date. The Arafura-class OPV project (SEA1180 Phase 1) is delivering six vessels to replace older patrol ships and strengthen Australia’s maritime security. Pilbara follows the lead vessels HMAS Arafura and NUSHIP Eyre, constructed in South Australia. CDI will now oversee final outfitting and sea trials before handing the vessel to the navy next year. Each Arafura-class OPV measures 80 meters and supports missions such as border protection, disaster relief, and maritime surveillance. With twin diesel propulsion, the ship reaches speeds of 22 knots and operates for up to 21 days at sea. Its armament includes a 25mm autocannon and multiple machine guns, complemented by three rigid inflatable boats and an unmanned aerial system. The Arafura-class forms part of Australia’s broader defense strategy to modernize its naval fleet and expand domestic shipbuilding capability. Additional vessels—Gippsland, Illawarra, and Carpentaria—are under construction, continuing progress toward enhanced regional maritime presence and operational flexibility.
