The Royal Australian Navy Patrol Boats provide the frontline of Australia's defences against people smuggling, illegal fishing, the narcotics trade and breaches of Australia's quarantine regulations.
The Navy currently operates fifteen 42 metre Fremantle Class Patrol Boats armed with 40 millimetre guns. These Patrol Boats are almost 25 years old and are nearing the end of their working life.
The Patrol Boat force is home ported in Darwin (10 Patrol Boats) and Cairns (5 Patrol Boats). In line with the Government's commitment to enhance surveillance in our northern waters, four Patrol Boats were recently transferred to Darwin, two from Perth and two from Sydney.
The Government's Defence White Paper provided for a replacement for the Fremantle Patrol Boats and today I release the Request For Tender.
The new vessels will be slightly larger and able to cope with heavier seas.
The new Patrol Boats will continue to provide vital operational training platforms for Navy personnel.
The Navy contributes 1800 Patrol Boat days each year to Coastwatch operations protecting our coastlines.
The contract for the new Patrol Boats will cover both construction and through life support of the vessels. The construction component of the contract will be worth up $450 million dollars.
The first new vessel will begin patrolling our waters in late 2004.
The Government has indicated that it expects the construction to largely take place in Australia.
This Request For Tender signifies an important new approach by this Government to major Defence procurement.
Conscious of the important input industry could provide in ensuring our RFT documentation was as user friendly as possible, I last month released a draft for Australian Industry to provide comment. That consultation was very beneficial and industry input has been included in the RFT.
A briefing session for industry will be held in Darwin between 3 and 6 September 2001.
The Government is keen to pursue the Patrol Boat project under private financing arrangements, capturing all the advantages this approach may provide. However the Government must be satisfied it is receiving the best outcome for the investment of taxpayer dollars.
The invitation to tender will therefore seek bids under a privately financed arrangement or direct purchase by the Government. It is expected that a single business entity will take responsibility for not only supplying the Patrol Boats, but also maintaining and supporting them for the duration of their 15 - 20 year life span. (ends)
