HMAS Arafura finally commissioned
More than six years after the ship’s keel was laid down and more than three years after she was launched, the first-of-class Arafura has finally been commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy.
CAPTION: Commissioning crew of NUSHIP Arafura before the ship was formally commissioned as HMAS Arafura, at Fleet Base West in Western Australia. Photo by Able Seaman Connor Morrison.
At her commissioning ceremony at Fremantle, Western Australia, on 28 June 2025, Minister for Defence [who insists on being referred to as Deputy Prime Minister even when performing Defence-portfolio duties] Richard Marles said the commissioning of HMAS Arafura marked an important milestone in the implementation of the government’s Surface Fleet Review.
“HMAS Arafura means that the Navy can continue to ensure the safety and security of our maritime borders,” Mr Marles said.
“The commissioning of HMAS Arafura is a turning point, and we will continue to see the Navy introduce new vessels into its fleet.”
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said the delivery of these offshore patrol vessels was an excellent example of the government’s partnership with defence industry in action.
“The Australian government has worked collaboratively with Defence and Luerssen Australia to successfully deliver HMAS Arafura, with another ship on the way and four more under construction at Henderson,” Mr Conroy.
“The construction of the remaining four ships is on track, and continues the Australian government’s investment in a productive, continuous naval shipbuilding and sustainment industry.”
Minister for Defence Personnel Matt Keogh said HMAS Arafura provided improved living quarters and amenities to support highly skilled naval personnel as they patrol and protect our coastline.
“My best wishes go to the crew of the Arafura as they take on this new challenge, and may they have fair winds and following seas.”
HMAS Arafura is the first Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) of the Royal Australian Navy’s surface fleet.
Navy’s OPVs will help patrol and secure Australia’s maritime border alongside the evolved Cape-class patrol boats.
These new ships have a range of 4000 nautical miles, and can perform a number of roles, including regional engagement, patrol duties, and employment of uncrewed systems in a variety of missions.
The government’s independent analysis into Navy’s Surface Combatant Fleet reaffirmed the need for the Arafura-class OPVs, while also recommending they operate alongside the evolved Cape-class patrol boats.
HMAS Arafura was built by German shipbuilder Luerssen Australia at the Osborne Shipyard in South Australia.
The second OPV, NUSHIP Eyre, has been built and is awaiting acceptance by Navy.
The remainder of the class is in various stages of construction at the Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia.
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Six years to build a coastal waters gunboat, fishery-protection and smuggler detection vessel for the RAN. Why do we even bother. We could have bought them of the shelf with a two year lead time from reputable European or Nth American builders. Even the Chinese and Japanese would have given us a more reliable and less costly quote. The more I’m reading of Oz Naval purchases, the more convinced I am becoming that the current role of our navy is to provide funds for socialised unionists in feather bed boat building yards.Now don’t even mention the frigate replacement or something to replace our one seagoing submarine. Forget AUKUS, this is another politician’s pipe-dream to provide overseas employment opportunities for senior politicians, public servants and military chiefs when they are forced to leave office. If one ever enters Oz service, all the junior officers and sailors now being trained in nuke sub technology will have been promoted to Admirals of the Non Existent Fleet. (PS heard today that Schlomo’s last defence minister is leaving politics for a job with AUKUS – pardon me while I reach for my gasmask..)