The Australian Department of Defence has accepted the first Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV), the future HMAS Arafura, for further test and evaluation ahead of delivery to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
Arafura is the first of class vessel delivered under project SEA 1180, built by Luerssen Australia at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia. The project will deliver six Arafura-class OPVs to the RAN, with the first two constructed at Osborne. The remaining four vessels are under construction at Henderson in Western Australia.
The design is a variant of the Darussalam-class patrol vessels operated by the Royal Brunei Navy.
Optimised for regional operations
HMAS ArafuraAustralian Department of Defence
The Arafura-class vessels will be part of a wider Navy Minor War Vessel Fleet supporting civil maritime security and enhanced regional engagement in the Southwest Pacific and Southeast Asia. When not conducting maritime security missions, the vessels may support hydrographic surveys.
Named for the Arafura Sea between Australia and Indonesia, Arafura has a length of 80 metres (260 feet), a beam of 13 metres (43 feet), a draught of four metres (13 feet), a displacement of 1,640 tonnes, and space for 40 crewmembers and up to 60 additional personnel.
Two MTU 4,250kW (5,670hp) diesel engines will deliver a maximum speed of 20 knots and a range of 4,000 nautical miles, ensuring long-endurance patrol capability.
Multi-role platform ideal for low-intensity missions
Close-up of the Bushmaster 25mm stabilised gun forward of the superstructureAustralian Department of Defence
The OPV’s design will permit the installation of specialist mission packages, such as a maritime tactical unmanned aerial system. In the future, rapid environmental assessment and deployable mine countermeasures capabilities will be integrated to further expand the ship’s existing multi-mission capability.
The vessel’s standard armament consists of a Northrop Grumman M242 Bushmaster 25mm naval gun fitted on a Rafael Typhoon stabilised mount and two 12.7mm heavy machine guns. The all-gun armament is ideal for low-intensity maritime security missions such as offshore and littoral patrols, maritime border protection, anti-terrorism missions, and anti-piracy missions.
For target detection and fire control, the OPV relies on a Terma Scanter 6002 radar, a Saab situational awareness system with an EOS500 electro-optical gun director, and a Safran Vigy Engage electro-optical surveillance multi-sensor system.
Space is also available for up to three rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) for at-sea boardings and interceptions. Two RIBs measuring 8.5 metres (28 feet) long will be launched into and recovered from the water using a dedicated crane while a 10.5-metre (34.4-foot) RIB will be deployed via a stern ramp.
HMAS ArafuraAustralian Department of Defence
Arafura and its sisters are slated to replace the RAN’s Armidale-class patrol boats, Huon-class coastal minehunters, Leeuwin-class hydrographic survey vessels, and Paluma-class survey motor launches.
| HMAS Arafura | |
| SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Type of vessel: | Offshore patrol vessel |
| Flag: | Australia |
| Owner: | Royal Australian Navy |
| Builder: | Luerssen Australia |
| Length overall: | 80 metres (260 feet) |
| Beam: | 13 metres (43 feet) |
| Draught: | 4.0 metres (13 feet) |
| Displacement: | 1,640 tonnes |
| Main engines: | 2 x MTU, each 4,250 kW (5,670 hp) |
| Maximum speed: | 20 knots |
| Range: | 4,000 nautical miles |
| Radar: | Terma Scanter 6002 |
| Cameras: | Safran Vigy Engage |
| Other electronics: | Saab situational awareness system; Saab EOS500 gun director |
| Armaments: | Northrop Grumman M242 Bushmaster 25mm naval gun; 2 x 12.7mm machine guns |
| Other equipment installed: | Stern boat ramp |
| Type of fuel: | Diesel |
| Crew: | 40 |
| Passengers: | 60 |
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