AUSTRALIAS NEW PACIFIC PATROL BOAT PROGRAM: Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Defence Minister David Johnston today announced a new $2 billion Pacific Patrol Boat (PPB) Program that will mainly replace patrol boats gifted to South Pacific island nations in the recent past. Senator Johnston said Defence would replace the current fleet of patrol boats for all current PPB members with the addition of a new member, East Timor. Timor-Leste has been invited to join the program, evidence of Australia’s growing defence cooperation program with that country, Senator Johnston said. “The current fleet of 22 patrol boats gifted to 12 Pacific island countries from 1987 to 1997 are now approaching their end of service life. “This new program will involve the construction of more than 20 steel, all-purpose patrol vessels that will considerably enhance the maritime security of our Pacific and regional partners. “Australia has a fundamental strategic interest in the security and stability of Pacific island nations.” Senator Johnston said the rugged Australian-made patrol boats would be worth $594 million, with through-life sustainment and personnel costs estimated at a further $1.38 billion over 30 years. In the coming months, discussions will be held with PPB states on the individual allocation of patrol vessels. Replacement patrol boats will be offered to all current participating states - Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Samoa, Vanuatu, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Republic of Marshall Islands, Cook Islands and new member Timor-Leste. Minister Bishop said the Pacific Patrol Boat Program was an important pillar of the Australian government’s commitment to working with our regional partners to enable cohesive security cooperation on maritime surveillance, including in fisheries protection and transnational crime. Under the program, Defence will undertake an open tender for the procurement which includes an option for ongoing sustainment and crew training. This news report is brought to you by CONTACT magazine - only available on the Internet, by FREE subscription from aussiecontact
Posted on: Tue, 17 Jun 2014 07:13:31 +0000
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