The Royal Australian Navy has launched NUSHIP Pilbara (OPV 205), the third Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel, at the Henderson Maritime Precinct.
It is named after a region in Western Australia known for mining and industrial heritage.
A ceremony for the ship was led by Jessica Shaw, Chief Commissioner of Port Hedland, who serves as its sponsor.
The Arafura-class OPV program, known as SEA1180 Phase 1, aims to deliver six patrol vessels through 2029 to replace older navy ships.
It is part of Australia’s 2024 National Defence Strategy, which seeks to enhance the country’s maritime readiness and regional presence.
First in Western Australia
Pilbara is the first of four Arafura-class platforms being assembled at Civmec Defence Industries’ (CDI) shipyard in Henderson and the largest naval vessel ever constructed in the state of Western Australia.
It follows HMAS Arafura (OPV 203) and NUSHIP Eyre (OPV 204), which were built in South Australia and delivered earlier this year.
CDI will now complete the boat’s fit-out and conduct sea trials before its handover to the military next year.
Work is also underway on three more vessels: NUSHIP Gippsland (OPV 206), NUSHIP Illawarra (OPV 207), and NUSHIP Carpentaria (OPV 208), the last of which had its keel laid in August.
Mark Clay, general manager at CDI, highlighted that the project represents progress for Western Australia’s defense manufacturing sector.
“It is fitting that the largest naval ship ever built in Western Australia is named after the Pilbara and is made of steel,” he said.
“The Pilbara region in Western Australia is known to hold some of the richest deposits of the iron ore that the world requires for steel making and Civmec is highly regarded for its steel fabrication capability.”
CDI, formerly Luerssen Australia, was rebranded after its acquisition by Civmec Limited in July 2025.
The Arafura OPV
The Royal Australian Navy’s Arafura system is designed for coastal patrol, border protection, and disaster relief operations across Australia’s vast maritime region.
It features modern communication, navigation, and surveillance systems suited for security missions in the Indo-Pacific.
The 80-meter (262-foot) vessel is powered by twin diesel engines and is armed with a 25-millimeter autocannon as well as support machine guns. The boat can carry up to 40 people, three rigid hull inflatable boats, and a light unmanned aerial system.
The Arafura can operate for up to 21 days straight, travel at 22 knots (41 kilometers/25 miles per hour), and cover a range of up to 4,000 nautical miles (7,408 kilometers/4,603 miles).
