HMAS Arafura
| History | |
|---|---|
| Australia | |
| Namesake | Arafura Sea |
| Builder | ASC Shipbuilding |
| Laid down | 10 May 2019 |
| Launched | 16 December 2021 |
| Commissioned | 28 June 2025 |
| Identification | P 203 |
| Motto | Intercept |
| Status | Active as of 2025 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel |
| Displacement | 1,640 tonnes |
| Length | 80 m (262 ft 6 in) |
| Beam | 13 m (42 ft 8 in) |
| Draught | 4 m (13 ft 1 in) |
| Propulsion | 2 x 4,250 kW (5,700 hp)} diesel engines |
| Speed | 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) (maximum) |
| Range | 4,000 nmi (7,400 km; 4,600 mi) |
| Troops | 60 |
| Complement | 40 |
| Sensors & processing systems | Saab Situational Awareness System (SAS) with Saab EOS500 electro-optical fire control director,[1][2] Terma SCANTER 6002 radar,[3][4] Safran Vigy Engage electro-optical surveillance and fire control multisensor system[5][6] |
| Armament |
|
| Aviation facilities | Small flight deck; light UAV capability to be integrated under Project Sea 129[7] |
HMAS Arafura (OPV 203),[8] named to represent Australia's interests in the Arafura Sea, is the lead ship of the Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels currently conducting sea trials for the Royal Australian Navy. The ship is based on the Lürssen OPV80 design, and is being constructed by ASC Pty Ltd at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Osborne, South Australia.[9] It was planned that the ship would enter service in 2022.[10] However, this was significantly delayed due to emerging problems with the seaworthiness of the class and its combat capabilities. As part of a re-design, the originally envisaged OTO Marlin 40 mm main gun was removed and replaced with a 25mm gun taken from the retiring Armidale-class vessels on an planned interim basis. HMAS Arafura was delivered to the navy in February 2025, and commissioned on 28 June 2025.[11]
Construction
Construction of the ship began on 15 November 2018 at Osborne Naval Shipyard. Arafura was launched on 16 December 2021, sponsored by Nova Peris.[12] After long delays due to structural fire protection design issues, builders' sea trials began on 26 August 2024.[13]
Career
Arafura was commissioned in Fremantle, Australia on 28 June 2025, three years after it was launched.[14]
References
- ^ "Saab Receives Order For Australian OPV Situational Awareness System". Saab Press Release. 20 April 2018.
- ^ "Saab sensor system for OPVs". Australian Defence Magazine. 23 April 2018.
- ^ "SCANTER 6002 radar selected for SEA 1180 OPVs". Defence Connect. 7 August 2018.
- ^ "Australian SEA1180 OPVs to feature Terma's air and surface surveillance radars". Naval Today. 31 July 2018.
- ^ Scott, Richard. "Vigy Engage selected for Project SEA 1180 OPVs". Jane's Navy International.
- ^ "Safran Vigy Engage Selected For Australia's Sea 1180 OPVS". Monash Publishing Group. 5 September 2018.
- ^ "Shortlist announced for Sea 129 Phase 5 - Australian Defence Magazine".
- ^ Hartigan, Brian (9 April 2020). "New Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel names announced". CONTACT magazine. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
- ^ Royal Australian Navy. "Offshore Patrol Vessel announced". Navy Daily. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
- ^ "Arafura Class OPV". Royal Australian Navy. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
- ^ "Navy introduces new capability with commissioning of HMAS Arafura". Department of Defence. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
- ^ "Australia Launches First Of 12 Arafura-Class OPVs". Naval News. 16 December 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
- ^ "NUSHIP Arafura begins Builders Sea Trials". Australian Defence Magazine. 30 August 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- ^ Staff, Naval News (28 June 2025). "Royal Australian Navy Commissions New OPV HMAS Arafura". Naval News. Retrieved 28 June 2025.