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HMAS Eyre, the second Arafura Class offshore patrol vessel, has been officially commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy.
In a ceremony at HMAS Stirling naval base, the offshore patrol vessel (OPV) marks the second of six planned Arafura Class vessels to enter service within the coming years.
“The commissioning of HMAS Eyre strengthens our nation’s maritime security, providing our Navy with the capability to protect Australia’s maritime approaches, contributing to stability in our region,” Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond said.
“Offshore patrol vessels like HMAS Eyre are a force multiplier, performing a number of roles in a variety of missions.”
HMAS Eyre is the second Arafura OPV built by Civmec at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia, with the remaining four vessels to be constructed at the Henderson Shipyard in South Australia.
The 80-metre long vessel has a range of up to 4,000 nautical miles and will be primarily used for humanitarian and disaster relief operations.
“HMAS Eyre will conduct maritime surveillance interdiction and was purpose built to embark containerised mission systems as part of an integrated capability,” VADM Hammond added.
“I am very much looking forward to seeing all six of these flexible ships in the hands of our capable Royal Australian Navy sailors.”
Since its introduction, the Arafura Class vessels have undergone scrutiny for continued delays and an initial fleet of 12 being reduced to six.
Proceedings for a Project of Concern launched into the Arafura Class started last month.
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