“We are honoured to be serving the Royal Australian Navy and Lürssen Australia Pty Ltd. It is gratifying to know that our technology and past performance has led us to a contract of this magnitude," said Quantum president and CEO John Allen.

For the past 15 years, Quantum has provided solutions and systems to the US Coast Guard, US Navy, as well as 14 other international navies.

The lead OPV, HMAS Arafura, is planned to enter service in 2021.

The primary role of the vessels will be to "undertake constabulary missions, maritime patrol and response duties".

The Arafura Class will be fit with "state of the art sensors as well as command and communication systems" to allow the OPVs to operate alongside Australian Border Force vessels, other Australian Defence Force units and other regional partners.

The RAN lists the Arafura Class' main roles as:

• Maritime border patrol;
• Maritime constabulary roles including interdiction;
• Fisheries patrol;
• Humanitarian and disaster relief;
• Minehunting; and
• Hydrographic survey.

The vessels can reach a top speed of 20 knots and have a range of 4,000 nautical miles, and are crewed by 40 personnel with accommodation for up to 60.