Armidale Class Australian Patrol Boat

The Armidale Class Australian Patrol Boat fleet are named after Australian cities and towns with close links with Navy heritage. The Armidale Class was named to coincide with the 60th commemoration of the sinking of the original HMAS Armidale (I). The Armidale Class provides the Navy an improved capability to intercept and apprehend vessels in a greater range of sea conditions than the earlier patrol boat classes; the Fremantle Class and the Attack Class. Most importantly, Patrols Boats are a primary enabler of the Australian Defence Force's contribution to Operation SOVEREIGN BORDERS, which is a whole of the government's effort to protect Australia's borders and offshore interests.