Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Cape Solander, named after Cape Solander in New South Wales, is an evolved Cape-class patrol boat under construction for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), launched in April 2024.[1][2][3]

ADV Cape Solander at Austal shipyards in Henderson, Western Australia in June 2024
History
Australia
NamesakeCape Solander
BuilderAustal, Henderson, Western Australia
LaunchedApril 2024
Identification
General characteristics
Class and typeCape-class patrol boat
Length58.1 m (190 ft 7 in)
Beam10.6 m (34 ft 9 in)
Draught3.1 m (10 ft 2 in)
Propulsion2 x Caterpillar 3516C diesels 6,770 horsepower (5,050 kW) 2 shafts, 1 bow thruster
Speed26 knots (48 km/h; 30 mph)
Range4,000 nautical miles (7,400 km; 4,600 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement25 standard, 32 maximum
Armament2 × 12.7 mm (0.5 in) machine guns

The ship will be the seventh of ten evolved Cape-class patrol boats to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy. Prior to Cape Solander, the RAN already operated the Cape-class patrol boats Cape Fourcroy and Cape Inscription as well as the evolved Cape-class patrol boats Cape Otway, Cape Peron, Cape Naturaliste, Cape Capricorn, Cape Woolamai and Cape Pillar.[1][2][3]

The ship is the first of the second order of two evolved Cape-class patrol boats the RAN ordered in April 2022, at a projected cost of $124 million.[1][4] In November 2023, the RAN ordered a further two evolved Cape-class patrols, at a cost of A$157.1 million.[5][2][3]

The ship is being built by Austal in Henderson, Western Australia and was launched in April 2024.[1][2][3]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d "Austal launches 7th Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat". Australian Defence Magazine. 29 April 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d "Royal Australian Navy's seventh evolved Cape-class patrol boat launched". Baird Maritime. 29 April 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d "ADV Cape Solander Delivered by Austal Australia". SeaWaves Press. 4 May 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Evolved Cape-Class Patrol Boats, Australia". Naval Technology. 18 August 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  5. ^ "Securing continuous Naval Shipbuilding at Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia". Australian Defence Ministry. Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
edit