Austal Limited has secured a contract extension to construct two additional Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats for the Australian Border Force.
The agreement, valued at approximately A$150.3 million, increases the total number of vessels contracted for delivery to the agency to six. The award follows the delivery of the tenth vessel in the series, ADV Cape Hawke, to the Royal Australian Navy in March 2026.
The company said the Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat program remains a key element of Australia’s continuous naval shipbuilding and sustainment framework, supporting national maritime capability.
Austal has delivered ten vessels of the class to the Royal Australian Navy over just more than five years, while construction of the first four units for the Australian Border Force is already underway.
The additional order contributes to Austal’s order book, which exceeds A$17.7 billion and includes Landing Craft Medium and Landing Craft Heavy vessels for the Australian Army under a strategic shipbuilding agreement with the Australian government.
The company added that ongoing construction and sustainment programs in Australia and the United States contribute between A$500 million and A$700 million annually to its order intake.
The Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats are designed to accommodate up to 32 personnel and include upgraded onboard systems and sustainment features to maintain operational availability. The vessels are intended for missions including border protection, fisheries enforcement and national security operations.
Construction of the two additional vessels will take place at Austal’s Henderson shipyard in Western Australia, supported by a domestic supply chain and integrated project teams.
Austal also provides in-service support for both Cape-class and Evolved Cape-class fleets through facilities in Henderson, Cairns and Darwin.