The Attack-Class Patrol Boats were introduced to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in the late 1960s to enhance Australia’s coastal defence and maritime security. Designed to replace the older Bathurst-class corvettes and other ageing vessels, the Attack-Class was specifically built for patrol duties, search and rescue operations, and fisheries protection, particularly across Australia’s vast northern coastline and surrounding territories.
A total of twenty vessels were constructed between 1967 and 1969, with many built by Australian shipyards such as Evans Deakin & Company in Brisbane and Walkers Limited in Maryborough. These boats were compact, highly manoeuvrable, and equipped to operate in shallow waters, making them ideal for patrolling remote and challenging regions. Their design incorporated commercial components where possible, ensuring ease of maintenance, especially when operating from isolated ports.
The Attack-Class Patrol Boats served the Royal Australian Navy with distinction for over a decade and were also used by allied Pacific nations following their retirement from Australian service. Their contribution to border protection, maritime surveillance, and regional security played a key role in safeguarding Australia’s maritime interests during a period of significant geopolitical change. Today, they remain a proud symbol of Australia’s naval history.
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