On 31 October 2025, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) launched the HMAS Pilbara, the third Arafura-class Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) and the first built entirely in Western Australia.
Constructed by Civmec Defence Industries under the SEA 1180 Phase 1 program, the vessel will undergo outfitting and sea trials before entering service in 2026. Its launch marks a strategic transition of patrol ship construction from South Australia to Western Australia, enhancing Australia’s sovereign maritime capabilities.
A New Industrial Era in Henderson
The HMAS Pilbara represents a major leap for Western Australian shipbuilding. The first two Arafura-class ships—HMAS Arafura and HMAS Eyre—were built at Osborne Naval Shipyard near Adelaide.
With Civmec’s 53,000-square-meter Henderson facility now serving as the central production hub, the OPV program has consolidated design, manufacturing, and sustainment within a single precinct.
Following Civmec’s acquisition of Luerssen Australia in 2025, all design and integration tasks are now managed domestically, reinforcing continuity and industrial independence.
Versatile and Mission-Ready Design
Based on the Lürssen OPV80 design, Arafura-class vessels are optimized for patrol, surveillance, and humanitarian operations.
Key specifications include:
- Length: 80 meters,
- Beam: 13 meters,
- Displacement: 1,640 tonnes,
- Speed: 22 knots,
- Range: 4,000 nautical miles,
- Endurance: 21 days.
They carry a 25 mm M242 Bushmaster autocannon and two 12.7 mm machine guns, with provisions for modular payloads and future unmanned systems.
Industrial Collaboration and Local Expertise
Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond praised the Arafura-class as proof of strong partnership between the Navy and Australian industry.
Mark Clay, General Manager of Civmec Defence Industries, emphasized that building the largest naval vessel ever produced in Western Australia using local steel reflects the region’s industrial legacy and self-reliance.
Strategic Role in Australia’s Maritime Posture
Under the 2024 National Defence Strategy, six Arafura-class vessels are set to enter service by 2029.
Operating alongside the Evolved Cape-class patrol boats, they will perform missions in border protection, fisheries enforcement, and regional engagement.
With endurance, adaptability, and sovereign build, HMAS Pilbara anchors Australia’s commitment to secure its Indo-Pacific maritime domain and sustain an enduring naval shipbuilding capability in Western Australia.
