Pacific Patrol Boat Program

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The Pacific Patrol Boat Program (PPB) was created by Australia to provide small neighbouring South Pacific nations with a maritime surveillance capability. The major result of this program is the creation and distribution of the Pacific class patrol boat.

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[edit] Origins

In 1982 the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea created a 200 nautical mile (370 km) exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around coastal nations. This dramatically increased the expanse of ocean requiring surveillance, monitoring and policing. Southwest Pacific nations now had to police an area of ocean that was far larger than their landmasses for most countries. The smaller nations had insufficient or nonexistent resources for conducting these patrols, and lacked funding and experience in which to create this capacity.

In 1979, at the request of Pacific island nations, the Australian and New Zealand governments assessed the requirements for maritime patrol and surveillance. A number of the Pacific island nations expressed concern about the need for a suitable maritime patrol force to perform the new surveillance requirements. The Australian government instituted a Defence Co-operation Project (DCP) in response to these concerns. The purpose of the DCP was to provide suitable patrol vessels, associated training, and infrastructure to island nations in the region. The Pacific Patrol Boat Systems Program Office was created within the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) procurement organisation to manage the DCP.

The project was formally announced by the Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, to the South Pacific Forum held in Canberra, Australia 29-30 August 1983.

The PPB project is the largest and most complex defence co-operation project ever funded by Australia. Twenty-two boats have been donated by Australia to twelve recipient countries.

[edit] Design and construction

Australian Shipbuilding Industries Pty Ltd (now Tenix Western Australia) was awarded the contract for the design and construction of the patrol boats in September 1985. The Pacific Patrol Boat (PPB) has a range of 2500 nautical miles (4630 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h), with a capability of more than 20 knots (37 km/h) for shorter durations.

[edit] Use

Generally, the PPBs are the only fisheries enforcement surface assets operated by the island nations. Aerial surveillance is limited, and relies on Australian, New Zealand and some French assistance.

The PPBs are also important for search and rescue, counter drug smuggling, VIP, disaster relief and transportation missions.

[edit] Funding

The cost of the project to Australia as of 1999 has been A$249 million. In total, the project cost for 22 vessels and associated support was $A155.25 million.

Each recipient countries has funded most operating costs and the US has also contributed to the operating costs of some nations through the Compact of Free Association.

[edit] Regional effects

The island countries have strongly supported the project. The project grew from the initial ten vessels for five countries to twenty-two vessels in twelve countries.

Australia strategic interests in the region is more widely recognised, in part due to the role of the Australian naval advisors stationed in each country.

There have been many cases of operational co-operation between air assets of Australia and New Zealand and the patrol boats of the various nations. Not only have the economic interests of the various nations been protected, but many rescue missions have also been performed.

The PPBs have assisted in regional monitoring, control and surveillance through the South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA).

[edit] Training

The training component of the PPB project is considered by the island states to be one of the great benefits of the program. Most of the training is provided by the Australian Maritime College (AMC) in Tasmania through its commercial arm, AMC Search Limited. This training provides a pool of skilled seamen to the recipient country.

AMC does not have a PPB to conduct the training. Rather, the TV Pinduro[1] is equipped with the same electronics as the PPBs.

Since 1998, the AMC has conducted 32 courses per year for the PPB Project. The annual cost to the Australian government is approximately $A1.5 million. The contract was renewed for five years (2006-2010) and is worth approximately $A9 million.

[edit] Refits

Originally designed for a 15 year lifespan, with a refit schedule at the 7 year point, Australia announced in October 2000 the establishment of a program to extend the lifespan to 30 years, with additional refits at the 15 year and 22 year points. The cost associated with this was estimated to be A$350 million.

[edit] See also

[edit] External references and links

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