Austal has signed an $18 million contract with the Armed Forces of Malta for the supply of four inshore patrol craft and associated support.
The announcement is below:
Austal confirms an unconditional contract has been signed with a value of Euro € 9.6 million with the Armed Forces of Malta for the supply of four 21.2 metre inshore patrol craft, including an initial training and two-year spares support package.
The vessels will be built at Austal's Australian facilities and are scheduled for delivery by the end of the year.
Managing Director Bob Browning said Austal was fielding increased interest from nations seeking fast and economical aluminium patrol craft for protection against modern-day coastal border security threats.
"Following significant patrol boat deliveries to countries including Yemen, Kuwait and Australia, Austal is pleased to add Malta to its growing defence customer base while making important inroads into the traditionally self-reliant European defence market."
Each vessel will have a maximum speed of more than 26 knots and will be capable of supporting 7.62mm and 12.7mm guns. The fleet will assist the Armed Forces of Malta with surveillance and border protection throughout the country's coastal waters.
The new order adds to Austal's current patrol craft contracts comprising six high speed vessels for the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and three patrol catamarans for the Queensland Police. Austal also has contracts to design and build the US Navy's 127 metre Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and 103 metre Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV).