Australia lays keel of 6th and final Arafura-class OPV

Australia lays keel of 6th and final Arafura class OPV

Key Takeaways:

  • 1. A keel-laying ceremony for the final Arafura-class Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) for the Royal Australian Navy, NUSHIP Carpentaria, was held in Western Australia.
  • 2. The OPV program aims to support local jobs and the defense industry in Australia.
  • 3. The Arafura-class OPVs are versatile platforms with longer operational ranges compared to previous patrol vessels.

A keel-laying ceremony was conducted for the final Arafura-class OPV, NUSHIP Carpentaria, highlighting the importance of naval traditions. The OPV program supports local jobs and technology while enhancing Australia's naval capabilities. The Arafura-class OPVs are versatile, capable of various tasks, and crucial for patrolling Australia's maritime border. Despite delays and changes in procurement, the Australian Navy aims to meet the demands of persistent patrols in Australian waters amidst increasing naval activities.

Insight: The Arafura-class OPVs are essential for maintaining maritime awareness and security in Australian waters, as highlighted by the increasing naval activities near Australia and the emphasis on burden-sharing in the maritime domain.

Read original article

This article was curated by memoment.jp from the feed source: Naval News.

Read the original article here: https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/08/australia-lays-keel-of-6th-and-final-arafura-class-opv/

© All rights belong to the original publisher.