Australian navy boats being relocated to Cairns
FNQ defence
A pair of navy patrol boats are set to be based in Cairns, with the first to be relocated early next year.
The Cairns-based Royal Australian Navy Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessels will include the HMAS Arafura.
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said Northern Australia was central to the Federal Government’s defence strategy and Cairns was an increasingly important hub for navy operations, sustainment and maritime security.
“Cairns has developed one of Australia's most capable maritime sustainment and maintenance sectors, making it a natural location to support the future offshore patrol vessel fleet,” Mr Conroy said.
“This decision strengthens sovereign industrial capability.”
Leichhardt MP Matt Smith MP said he had been advocating for more defence capacity in the Far North.
“The $250 million expanded wharf at HMAS Cairns will see more jobs, more growth, and more security for our region,” Mr Smith said.
“The home porting of at least two Arafura Class OPV’s is an acknowledgement of the capacity of Cairns and the importance of the Far North more broadly.”
The Federal Government has invested $250m in HMAS Cairns, expanding berthing capacity and upgrading the wharf.
More than 770 people worked onsite, with close to $68m worth of contracts awarded to businesses in the Greater Cairns region.