Australia unveils $2bn Pacific Patrol Boat (PPB) programme

The Australian Government has launched a new $2bn Pacific Patrol Boat (PPB) programme in a bid to bolster the national security.

Australia Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said: "The Pacific Patrol Boat Program is an important pillar of the Australian Government’s commitment to working with our regional partners to enable cohesive security cooperation on maritime surveillance, including in fisheries protection and transnational crime."

As part of the programme, the existing fleet of patrol boats for all current PPB members, including the recently joined Timor-Leste (East Timor), would be replaced with new vessels.

Defence Minister David Johnston said that the existing fleet of 22 patrol boats gifted to 12 PacificIsland countries from 1987 to 1997 are now approaching their end of service life.

"This new program will involve the construction of more than 20 steel, all purpose patrol vessels that will considerably enhance the maritime security of our Pacific and regional partners," Johnston added.

According to Senator Johnston, the rugged Australian-built patrol boats are worth $594m with through life sustainment and personnel costs assessed at $1.38bn over 30 years.

Further, Australia will discuss with PPB states on the individual allotment of patrol vessels in the coming months, followed by an open tender for the procurement, which also includes an option for ongoing sustainment and crew training.

The replacement patrol boats will be presented to all existing participating states, which include Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Samoa, Vanuatu, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Republic of Marshall Islands, Cook Islands and new member Timor-Leste.

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