View source for Pacific-class patrol boat

{{short description|Australian ship class}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin |sclass=2}} 
{{For|the Pacific class of steam locomotive|4-6-2}}
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=HMPNGS Dreger (P02) - RAN-IFR 2013 D3 71.jpg
|Ship caption=HMPNGS ''Dreger'' entering Sydney Harbour in October 2013
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
|Name=Pacific class
|Builders=[[Tenix|Australian Shipbuilding Industries]]
|Operators=12 nations, see [[#Operators|Operators]]
|Subclasses=See [[#Derivatives|Derivatives]]
|Cost=
|Class after={{sclass2|Guardian|patrol boat|4}}
|Built range=September 1985–June 1997
|In service range=
|In commission range=16 May 1987–present
|Total ships completed=22
|Total ships active=21
|Total ships laid up=
|Total ships lost=1
|Total ships retired=
|Total ships preserved=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Ship type=Patrol boat
|Ship displacement=162 tonnes full load
|Ship length={{convert|31.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|8.1|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught={{convert|1.8|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship propulsion=2 Caterpillar 3516TA diesels, {{cvt|2820|hp|lk=in}}, 2 shafts 
|Ship speed={{convert|20|kn|lk=in}}
|Ship range={{convert|2500|nmi|lk=in|abbr=on}} at {{convert|12|kn}}
|Ship endurance=10 days
|Ship complement=14–18
|Ship armament=Various small arms, depending on operating country. May include [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon]], 7.62&nbsp;mm machine guns, and/or 12.7&nbsp;mm machine gun. Not all ships are permanently armed.
|Ship sensors=Furuno 1011 surface search radar; I band
|Ship notes=Taken from:<ref name=SharpeMulti>Sharpe (ed.), ''Jane's Fighting Ships'', pp. 197, 396, 498, 637</ref>
}}
|}

The '''Pacific class''' (also known as the '''Pacific Forum class'''<ref name=hazegray-asiapac>Toppan & Walsh, ''World Navies Today: Other Asia-Pacific Navies''</ref> and the '''ASI 315 class'''<ref name=BerBat556/>) is a class of 22 [[patrol boat]]s built by [[Australia]] and donated to twelve [[Oceania|South Pacific]] countries. The vessels were constructed between 1985 and 1997 and are operated by the [[navy|militaries]], [[coast guard]]s or [[police force]]s of the twelve island nations. These boats are supported by the '''Pacific Patrol Boat Program''' and used primarily for maritime surveillance and fisheries protection.

==Design and construction==
The [[United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea]] took effect in 1982. It introduced a {{convert|200|nmi|lk=in|adj=on}} [[exclusive economic zone]] (EEZ) to the territories of all nations with an ocean coastline. Several [[Oceania|Southwest Pacific]] island nations found themselves responsible for policing an area of ocean that was beyond their maritime capability, and often significantly larger than their land territories (at its most extreme, the EEZ of [[Tuvalu]] dwarfs its landmass by a ratio of almost 1:28,000).<ref name=BerBat558>Bergin & Bateman, ''Law and order at sea in the South Pacific'', p. 558</ref><ref name=Semaphore>Sea Power Centre, ''The Pacific Patrol Boat Project''</ref> Following requests by several Pacific nations for assistance from the governments of Australia and [[New Zealand]], the Australian government created a Defence Cooperation Project named the Pacific Patrol Boat Program to design and provide suitable patrol boats to nearby island nations. The program also provided training and infrastructure to support these ships.<ref name=Semaphore/> The Program was officially announced by [[Australian Prime Minister]] [[Bob Hawke]] during the [[Pacific Islands Forum|South Pacific Forum]] meeting held in Canberra on 29 and 30 August 1983.<ref name=BerBat556>Bergin & Bateman, ''Law and order at sea in the South Pacific'', p. 556</ref>

[[File:HMPNGS Seedler.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Papua New Guinea Defence Force]] patrol boat HMPNGS ''Seeadler'', alongside in Townsville during 2004]]

Requests for tenders were issued in August 1984. [[Tenix|Australian Shipbuilding Industries]] (ASI) designed a small vessel capable of maritime surveillance and interdiction, search and rescue operations, and fisheries protection.<ref name=BerBat556/><ref name=Semaphore/> A smaller prototype was constructed by ASI in 1984. The prototype was later sold to the [[Royal Solomon Islands Police Force]] and named ''Savo''.<ref>Sharpe (ed.), ''Jane's Fighting Ships'', p. 637</ref> The contract for the Pacific class was awarded to ASI on 9 May 1985 and construction began in September 1985.<ref name=Semaphore/> Initially ten ships were planned to be produced for eight countries, with the first ship, HMPNGS ''Tarangau,'' delivered to the [[Papua New Guinea Defence Force]] on 16 May 1987.<ref name=Semaphore/> The program continued until 15 ships were ordered, then was terminated before being reopened in February 1993.<ref>Sharpe (ed.), ''Jane's Fighting Ships'', p. 746</ref> By the time the program concluded, 22 ships had been delivered to 12 countries, with the final ship, [[FSS Independence|FSS ''Independence'']], delivered to the Federated States of [[Micronesia]] in June 1997.<ref name=Semaphore/> The Pacific Patrol Boat Project is the largest and most complex defence co-operation project ever funded by Australia.<ref name=BerBat556/>

Each patrol boat has a length of {{convert|31.5|m|ftin}}, a [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|8.1|m|ftin}}, a [[Draft (hull)|draught]] of {{convert|1.8|m|ftin}}, and a full load [[Displacement (ship)|displacement]] of 162 tonnes.<ref name=SharpeMulti/> They are fitted with two [[Caterpillar Inc.|Caterpillar 3516TA]] [[diesel engine]]s, which provide {{convert|2820|hp|lk=in}} to two propeller shafts, driving the vessel at a maximum of {{convert|20|kn|lk=in}}. Pacific-class vessels have a maximum range of {{convert|2500|nmi|lk=in}} at {{convert|12|kn}}, and can remain at sea for up to ten days.<ref name=SharpeMulti/> Armament varies depending on the operating nation; the patrol boats may carry [[GAM-BO1]] 20&nbsp;mm guns, 7.62&nbsp;mm machine guns, or 12.7&nbsp;mm machine guns, and these need not be permanently fitted.<ref name=SharpeMulti/> Each ship carries a Furuno 1011 surface search radar, which operates in the [[I band (NATO)|I band]].<ref name=SharpeMulti/> The ship's company varies between 14 and 18, depending on the operating nation.<ref name=SharpeMulti/> In order to reduce construction and maintenance costs, the vessels were built to commercial, as opposed to military, standards. This facilitates companies in the operating nations to be capable of providing parts and minor maintenance in mind.<ref name=BerBat556/>

There were initial problems with the propellers, engine cooling systems, and air conditioning, but these were fixed before the completion of the third ship of the class.<ref name=Semaphore/> The class underwent refits during each ship's seventh or eighth year of operation, and again at the fifteenth year (which was ongoing until 2012).<ref name=Semaphore/> This has extended the predicted service life of the class to 2027.<ref name=Semaphore/>

===Derivatives===
Several variant designs for the Pacific class have been produced by Australian Shipbuilding Industries (later Transfield ASI, then Tenix), for a variety of operators.

Four patrol boats of a slightly shortened {{convert|31|m|ft|adj=on}} design were produced for the [[Military of Kuwait|Kuwait Coast Guard]].<ref name=TenixNPV3>Tenix Defence – Marine, ''Naval and Paramilitary Vessels'', p. 3</ref> An unarmed version of this design is also marketed to the operators of oil platforms as a crew transport.<ref name=TenixNPV3/>

Six modified versions of the Pacific class were built for the [[Hong Kong Marine Police]] as the [[Protector (Pacific Forum)-class small patrol boat|''Protector'' class]].<ref>Toppan, ''World Navies Today: Hong Kong''</ref> The main difference is the installation of a [[pump-jet]] engine to supplement the main propulsion.<ref name=TenixNPV3/>

[[File:Seahorse Mecator.jpg|thumb|''Seahorse Mercator'', a navigation training vessel based on the Pacific-class hull design]]

A single navigation training vessel, {{ship||Seahorse Mercator}}, was built for [[Defence Maritime Services]] in 1999 which operates the ship under contract to the [[Royal Australian Navy]].<ref name=TenixNPV3/> Although the hull design is the same, the interior and superstructure are significantly modified.<ref name=TenixNPV3/> The ''Seahorse Mercator'' design was used as the basis for the [[Royal Canadian Navy]]'s eight {{sclass|Orca|patrol vessel|1}}s, although Canadian engineers modified the ''Orca''s to the point where they only share the basic hull shape with the Australian ship.<ref>''Fast tests keep new Canadian navy training ships on schedule'', in ''Diesel Progress North American Edition''</ref>

A {{convert|35|m|ft|adj=on}}, all-aluminium design based on the Pacific-class hull, the {{sclass|Ilocos Norte|patrol boat|4}}, was created for the [[Philippine Coast Guard]].<ref name=TenixNPV3/> Four of these ships were delivered in December 2001, and are used as search and rescue vessels.<ref name=TenixNPV3/> An option for a follow on order by the Philippines of ten more ships was offered,<ref name=TenixNPV3/> but has not been used. The ''Ilocos Norte'' design was used in 2008 for the [[New South Wales Police Force]] patrol vessel {{ship|OPV|Nemesis||2}}; the largest police-operated patrol boat in the Southern Hemisphere.<ref name="ASM">Davitt, ''Seagoing patrol vessels strengthen police CT role''</ref>

==Role and benefits==
[[File:Solomon Island Police's patrol boat Lata rescuing fishing vessel.jpg|thumb|The Solomon Islands patrol boat ''Lata'' assisting a stranded fishing vessel (foreground)]]

The Pacific-class patrol boats are used primarily for maritime surveillance and fisheries protection. They are often the only surveillance capability the operating nation has access to, and their presence has often deterred foreign fishing fleets.<ref name=BerBat563>Bergin & Bateman, ''Law and order at sea in the South Pacific'', p. 563</ref> The ability to patrol the waters has provided boosts to economies through both fishing fines and improved negotiation stances when discussing foreign fishing rights and fees.<ref name=BerBat563/> As part of the patrol role, the Pacifics have been used for customs inspection of ships, and have stopped some smuggling and drug-running operations.<ref name=BerBat564>Bergin & Bateman, ''Law and order at sea in the South Pacific'', p. 564</ref> Some nations charter the vessels out to other government agencies or private companies for salvage work, hydrographic surveying, or even tasks like helping to establish [[aquaculture]] farms.<ref name=BerBat564/> Pacific-class patrol boats have also seen use in humanitarian roles such as search-and-rescue, towing of disabled vessels, sea safety checks on vessels, and inter-island transport, particularly for disaster relief operations.<ref name=BerBat564/>

The patrol boats also provide indirect benefits to the operating nations. Operation of the Pacifics has often required the expansion of maritime facilities, providing jobs and facilitating access for other ships.<ref name=BerBat564/> In addition to the economic boost from fishing fees and fines, improved hydrographic charts created by the ships contributes to boosting tourism.<ref name=BerBat564/> The ships are seen as miniature warships, and are a point of pride and prestige for the island nations.<ref name=BerBat565>Bergin & Bateman, ''Law and order at sea in the South Pacific'', p. 565</ref> Crew training by the [[Australian Maritime College]] (AMC) has increased the number of trained seafarers in the operating nations, improving the skill level of each nation's maritime sector.<ref name=BerBat565/>

The Pacific Patrol Boat Program has also provided benefits to Australia and New Zealand. These nations enjoy an improved strategic presence in the region, and the naval advisors supplied to operating nations create personal networks within those nations, while improving the skill set and knowledge of the Pacific-class operators.<ref name=BerBat560>Bergin & Bateman, ''Law and order at sea in the South Pacific'', p. 560</ref> These advisors regularly interact with officials from agencies outside the normal scope of diplomats, and can obtain political and strategic information inaccessible through other avenues.<ref name=BerBat561>Bergin & Bateman, ''Law and order at sea in the South Pacific'', p. 561</ref> The naval advisors also allow the military-operated vessels to maintain links to larger naval forces.<ref name=BerBat560/> The ability for the operating nations to provide their own humanitarian support likewise reduces the need for Australian and New Zealand assets to become involved in relatively small-scale incidents.<ref name=BerBat561/>

==Support and infrastructure==
[[File:RSIPV Tata.jpg|thumb|left|Royal Solomon Islands police vessel ''Lata'' in Townsville Harbour during a 2005 maintenance visit]]

Australian Shipbuilding Industries (later [[Tenix]]) provides support facilities for the class in [[Brisbane]], Australia, and [[Suva]], Fiji.<ref name=Semaphore/>

Crew training for the Pacific-class patrol boats is offered by the Australian Department of Defence and the [[Australian Maritime College]] (AMC).<ref name=Semaphore/> The AMC runs an average of 32 classes per year in support of the Pacific Patrol Boat Program.<ref name=Semaphore/> The AMC does not possess a Pacific-class patrol boat to use as a training vessel; instead, the {{convert|13|m|ft|adj=on}} TV ''Pinduro'' is fitted with identical electronic equipment.<ref>Australian Maritime College, ''TV Pinduro''</ref>

The cost of the project to Australia as of 1998 has been A$249 million.<ref name=BerBat559/> Each recipient country has funded most operating costs, with the United States contributing to the costs of [[Palau]], the [[Marshall Islands]], and the [[Federated States of Micronesia]] through the [[Compact of Free Association]].<ref name=BerBat559/>

Following the [[2006 Fijian coup d'état]], Fiji was suspended from the program and the associated support.<ref>{{cite journal |last=McCann |first=Linda |date=August 2013 |title=The Future of Australia’s Pacific Patrol Boat Program: the Pacific Maritime Security Program |journal=Shedden Papers |publisher=The Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies |pages=21–22 |url=http://www.defence.gov.au/adc/docs/Publications2013/Linda%20McCann%20-%20Shedden%20Paper%20(final).pdf |access-date=29 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230233407/http://www.defence.gov.au/adc/docs/Publications2013/Linda%20McCann%20-%20Shedden%20Paper%20(final).pdf |archive-date=30 December 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Fiji rejoined the program in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amc.edu.au/about-amc/news-and-events/news-items/fijian-defence-training|title=Fijian Patrol Boat Training|work=Australian Maritime College|date=9 June 2017|access-date=1 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201192812/http://www.amc.edu.au/about-amc/news-and-events/news-items/fijian-defence-training|archive-date=1 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Operators==
Twelve nations operate Pacific-class patrol boats, as part of their military, coast guard, or police force:<ref name=Semaphore/><ref name=BerBat559>Bergin & Bateman, ''Law and order at sea in the South Pacific'', p. 559</ref>
* {{flag|Papua New Guinea}} (4 ships),
* {{flag|Fiji}} (3),
* {{flag|Federated States of Micronesia}} (3),
* {{flag|Tonga}} (3),
* {{flag|Solomon Islands}} (2),
* {{flag|Cook Islands}} (1),
* {{flag|Kiribati}} (1),
* {{flag|Marshall Islands}} (1),
* {{flag|Palau}} (1),
* {{flag|Samoa}} (1),
* {{flag|Tuvalu}} (1),
* {{flag|Vanuatu}} (1)

==Ships==
[[File:RVS Tukoro, Vanuatu's Police Patrol Boat.jpg|thumb|right|The Vanuatu police vessel RVS ''Tukoro'' in Townsville during 2005]]
[[File:VAV-Patroulienboot 2.jpg|thumb|right|Tongan Navy patrol boat VOEA ''Savea'']]

{|class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Disposition of Pacific Forum patrol boats<ref name=hazegray-asiapac/>
|-
!Boat no.
!class="unsortable"|Name
!Pennant
!Country
!class="wikitable sortable"|Handover<br>Date
!class="wikitable sortable"|Retired
!class="wikitable sortable"|Organisation
|-
|1
| {{ship|HMPNGS|Rabaul|P01|6}}<br /><small>ex-''Tarangau''</small><ref name=JFS12p602>{{cite book |title=IHS Jane's Fighting Ships 2012–2013 |editor=Saunders, Stephen |publisher=IHS Jane's |location=Coulsdon |date=2012 |series=[[Jane's Fighting Ships]] |isbn=9780710630087 |oclc=793688752 |page=602}}</ref>
|P01
|[[Papua New Guinea]]
| 1987-05
| 2018-08-03
|[[Papua New Guinea Defence Force|Defence Force]]
|-
|2
| {{ship|RVS|Tukoro}}
|
|[[Vanuatu]]
| 1987-06
|
|Police
|-
|3
| {{ship|HMPNGS|Dreger|P02|6}}
| P02
|[[Papua New Guinea]]
| 1987-10
| 2021-04-18
|Defence Force
|-
|4
| {{ship||Nafanua|patrol vessel|2}}
|
|[[Samoa]] 
| 1988-03
| 2019-06-12
|Police
|-
|5
| {{ship|RSIPV|Lata|03|6}}
| 03
|[[Solomon Islands]]
| 1988-07
| 2019-09-11
|Police
|-
|6
| {{ship|HMPNGS|Seeadler|P03|6}}
| P03
|[[Papua New Guinea]]
| 1988-10
| 2021-04-18
|Defence Force
|-
|7
| {{ship|CIPPB|Te Kukupa}}
|
|[[Cook Islands]]
| 1989-03
|
|Police
|-
|8
| {{ship|HMPNGS|Moresby|P04|6}}<br /><small>ex-''Basilisk''</small><ref name=JFS12p602/>
| P04
|[[Papua New Guinea]]
| 1989-07
| 2021-04-18
|Defence Force
|-
|9
| {{ship|VOEA|Neiafu|P201|6}}
| P201
|[[Tonga]]
| 1989-10
| 2020-09
|[[Tonga Defence Services|Defence Services]]
|-
|10 
| {{ship|FSS|Palikir|01|6}}
| 01
|[[Federated States of Micronesia]]
| 1990-03
|
|Police
|-
|11
| {{ship|VOEA|Pangai|P202|6}}
| P202
|[[Tonga]]
| 1990-06
| 2020-04-23
|Defence Services
|-
|12
| {{ship|FSS|Micronesia|02|6}}
| 02
|[[Federated States of Micronesia]]
| 1990-11
|
|Police
|-
|13
| {{ship|VOEA|Savea|P203|6}}
| P203
|[[Tonga]]
| 1991-03
| 2019-06
|Defence Services
|-
|14
| {{ship|RMIS|Lomor|03|6}}
| 03
|[[Marshall Islands]]
| 1991-06
|
|Sea Patrol
|-
|15
| {{ship|RSIPV|Auki|04|6}}
| 04
|[[Solomon Islands]]
| 1991-11
| 2021-03-04
|Police
|-
|16
| {{ship|RKS|Teanoai|301|6}}
| 301
|[[Kiribati]]
| 1994-01
|
|[[Law enforcement in Kiribati|Police]]
|-
|17
| {{ship|RFNS|Kula|201|6}}
| 201
| [[Fiji]]
| 1994-05
| 2019-12-22
| [[Republic of Fiji Military Forces|Navy]]
|-
|18
| {{ship|HMTSS|Te Mataili|801|6}}
| 801
|[[Tuvalu]]
| 1994-10
|
|Police
|-
|19
| {{ship|RFNS|Kikau|202|6}}
| 202
|[[Fiji]]
| 1995-05
|
|Navy
|-
|20
| {{ship|RFNS|Kiro|203|6}}
| 203
|[[Fiji]]
| 1995-10
| 2016
|Navy
|-
|21
| {{ship|PSS|President H.I. Remeliik}}
| 001
|[[Palau]]
| 1996-05
| 2020-03-13
|Police
|-
|22
| {{ship|FSS|Independence}}
| 03
|[[Federated States of Micronesia]]
| 1997-05
|
|Police
|}

==Guardian-class replacement==
{{main|Guardian-class patrol boat}}
The continuation of the Pacific Patrol Boat Program through a second generation of ships has been considered likely throughout the years, due to the benefits and capabilities provided to the operating nations, along with the work provided to the Australian shipbuilding industry.<ref name=Semaphore/> During the early 2000s, variants of the RAN's {{sclass|Armidale|patrol boat|4}} or the RNZN's {{sclass2|Protector|inshore patrol vessel|4}} were considered appropriate, although there were concerns that such complex vessels would be too challenging and financially restrictive to maintain by some of the smaller participating nations.<ref name=Semaphore/><ref>Bergin & Bateman, ''Law and order at sea in the South Pacific'', pp. 566–7</ref> A 2008 report also suggested discontinuing the program, due to rising operational costs being imposed on Australia (over double the expected annual cost of A$12 million two years in a row), poor operating rates (averaging 36 days at sea per ship per year) linked to the operating nations' difficulties in crewing and maintaining the ships, and a lack of support from the other nations with interests in the Pacific.<ref>Pearlman, ''Defence calls to scrap Pacific patrol vessels''</ref>

In June 2014, the Australian government announced that a replacement class of at least 20 vessels would be built by Australia as part of a new Pacific Patrol Boat Program.<ref name=MfFA.MfDpr>{{cite press release |date=17 June 2014 |title=Maritime security strengthened through Pacific Patrol Boat Program |url=http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2014/06/17/minister-for-foreign-affairs-minister-for-defence-maritime-security-strengthened-through-pacific-patrol-boat-program/ |type=Press release |publisher=Australian Government: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence |archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20140801021615/https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2014/06/17/minister-for-foreign-affairs-minister-for-defence-maritime-security-strengthened-through-pacific-patrol-boat-program |archive-date=1 August 2014 |access-date=7 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> The A$2 billion Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement program (SEA 3036) (including A$594 million for construction and A$1.38 billion for through-life support costs) will replace the existing Pacific-class vessels, plus include [[East Timor]] as a new recipient.<ref name=MfFA.MfDpr/> A [[request for tender]] was open to Australian shipbuilders on 5 March 2015, and concluded on 17 June.<ref name=NicholsonRFT>{{cite news |last=Nicholson |first=Brendan |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/patrol-boat-orders-to-save-shipbuilding-industry/story-e6frg6nf-1227250199158 |title=Patrol boat orders to save shipbuilding industry |work=The Australian |date=5 March 2015 |access-date=7 March 2015}}</ref><ref name=MorleyReplacement>{{cite news |url=http://navynews.realviewdigital.com/?iid=132825#folio=8 |title=Replacement Program |last=Morley |first=Dave |date=3 December 2015 |work=Navy News |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |page=9 |access-date=7 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208201617/http://navynews.realviewdigital.com/?iid=132825#folio=8 |archive-date=8 December 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> Tenderers are asked to submit proposals for a {{convert|40|m|adj=on}} steel-hull vessel with a range of {{convert|2500|nmi}} at {{convert|12|kn}}, a top speed above {{convert|20|kn}}, and an operational endurance of 20 days.<ref name=NicholsonRFT/><ref name=MorleyReplacement/> The replacement patrol boats must be designed to commercial standards and easy to maintain.<ref name=NicholsonRFT/> They will not be constructed with weapons fitted, but must be capable of having them installed later.<ref name=NicholsonRFT/> Operation of the new patrol boats will be supplemented by aerial surveillance and intelligence from Australia, under the [[Pacific Maritime Security Program]].<ref name=MorleyReplacement/>

In April 2016, Prime Minister [[Malcolm Turnbull]] announced that [[Austal]] had been selected to construct the vessels and in May 2016 a contract was signed for 19 Guardian-class vessels.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Prime Minister and Minister for Defence - Continuous Naval Shipbuilding|url=https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/media-releases/prime-minister-and-minister-defence-continuous-naval|website=Department of Defence|access-date=22 September 2017|date=18 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922194017/https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/media-releases/prime-minister-and-minister-defence-continuous-naval|archive-date=22 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Contract">{{cite press release|title=Minister for Defence - Contract signed for replacement Pacific Patrol Boats|url=https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/media-releases/minister-defence-contract-signed-replacement-pacific-patrol|website=Department of Defence|access-date=22 September 2017|date=4 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922145220/https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/media-releases/minister-defence-contract-signed-replacement-pacific-patrol|archive-date=22 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> An additional two vessels were offered to East Timor to be purchased at an agreed fixed price.<ref name="Contract" /> This offer was subsequently accepted.<ref>{{cite news|last=Dominguez|first=Gabriel|url=http://www.janes.com/article/75469/timor-leste-to-receive-two-pacific-patrol-boats-in-2023|title=Timor-Leste to receive two Pacific Patrol Boats in 2023|work=Jane's 360|date=6 November 2017|access-date=8 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110201022/http://www.janes.com/article/75469/timor-leste-to-receive-two-pacific-patrol-boats-in-2023|archive-date=10 January 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Guardian class is 39.5&nbsp;m long, capable of travelling at {{convert|20|kn}} and at {{convert|12|kn}} possesses a {{convert|3000|nmi}}, accommodates 23 people, carries a 6.35&nbsp;m [[Rigid-hulled inflatable boat|RHIB]] and has provision to be fitted with a 30&nbsp;mm main gun and two 12.7&nbsp;mm machine guns.<ref>{{cite web|title=Austal Pacific Patrol Boat 40|url=https://www.austal.com/sites/default/files/related-documents/PPB%20Brochure%20May16.pdf|website=Austal|access-date=22 September 2017|date=12 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924070727/https://www.austal.com/sites/default/files/related-documents/PPB%20Brochure%20May16.pdf|archive-date=24 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The first vessel was launched on 29 May 2018 with completion expected in October 2018 and is to be gifted to Papua New Guinea.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/article/80385/Australia-launches-first-pacific-patrol-boat|title=Australia launches first Pacific patrol boat|website=Janes.com|access-date=30 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180601075736/http://www.janes.com/article/80385/australia-launches-first-pacific-patrol-boat|archive-date=1 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|author1=Minister for Defence Industry|title=Pacific Patrol Boat Milestone|url=https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/christopher-pyne/media-releases/pacific-patrol-boat-milestone|website=Department of Defence|access-date=22 September 2017|date=31 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922194349/https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/christopher-pyne/media-releases/pacific-patrol-boat-milestone|archive-date=22 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Citations==
{{reflist|30em}}

==References==
{{Commons category|Pacific class patrol boats}}
;Books
*{{cite book |editor-last=Sharpe |editor-first=Richard |title=Jane's Fighting Ships: 1996–97 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |location=Surrey |date=March 1996 |edition=99th |isbn=0-7106-1355-5 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/janesfightingshi0099unse }}

;Journal and news articles
*{{cite journal |last=Bergin |first=Anthony |author2=Bateman, Sam |year=1999 |title=Law and order at sea in the South Pacific: the contribution of the Pacific Patrol Boat project |journal=Ocean & Coastal Management |publisher=Elsevier |volume=42 |issue=6–7 |pages=555–568 |issn=0964-5691 |doi=10.1016/S0964-5691(99)00037-X}}
*{{cite news |last=Davitt |first=Ernie |url=http://www.securitymanagement.com.au/articles/seagoing-patrol-vessels-strengthen-police-ct-role-84.html |title=Seagoing patrol vessels strengthen police CT role |work=Australian Security Magazine |date=18 October 2008 |access-date=24 January 2012}}
*{{cite journal |title=Fast tests keep new Canadian navy training ships on schedule |journal=Diesel Progress North American Edition |issue=April 2007 |url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-30644427_ITM}}
*{{cite news |title=Defence calls to scrap Pacific patrol vessels |last=Pearlman |first=Jonathon |date=30 September 2008 |work=Sydney Morning Herald|pages=7}}
*{{cite journal |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/enwiki/w/images/Semaphore_2005_2.pdf |title=The Pacific Patrol Boat Project |access-date=1 March 2008 |date=February 2005 |journal=Semaphore |volume=2005 |issue=2 |publisher=Sea Power Centre – Australia |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20090514184948/http://www.navy.gov.au/enwiki/w/images/Semaphore_2005_2.pdf |archive-date=14 May 2009 |url-status=dead  }}

;Websites and other media
*{{cite web |url=http://www.amcsearch.com.au/facilities/04_pinduro.html |title=TV Pinduro |date=1 March 2008 |publisher=Australian Maritime College (AMCSearch) |access-date=1 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720070834/http://www.amcsearch.com.au/facilities/04_pinduro.html |archive-date=20 July 2008 |url-status=dead  }}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.tenix.com/PDFLibrary/206.pdf |title=Naval and Paramilitary Vessels |access-date=8 March 2008 |author=Tenix Defence – Marine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010064531/http://www.tenix.com/PDFLibrary/206.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=10 October 2007}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.hazegray.org/worldnav/asiapac/hongkong.htm |title=World Navies Today: Hong Kong |access-date=19 November 2010 |last=Toppan |first=Andrew |year=2001 |work=World Navies Today |publisher=Haze Gray & Underway}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.hazegray.org/worldnav/asiapac/asiapac.htm |title=World Navies Today: Other Asia-Pacific Navies |access-date=9 March 2008 |author1=Walsh, Terry |author2=Toppan, Andrew |date=25 March 2002 |work=World Navies Today |publisher=Haze Gray & Underway}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pacific Class Patrol Boat}}
[[Category:Law enforcement equipment]]
[[Category:Pacific Forum class patrol vessels]]
[[Category:Patrol boat classes]]