HMA Ships Cape Spencer and Cape Hawke at Cairns after their commissioning into service. Photo: LSIS Ernesto Sanchez Jr.
The Royal Australian Navy has commissioned the final two of eight Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats (ECCPBs) into service at a ceremony in Cairns.
Built by Austal at its Henderson shipyard in Western Australia under Project SEA1445 Phase 1, the two vessels named HMA Ships Cape Spencer and Cape Hawke were handed over to the Navy for trials and final fit out in early 2026, and were commissioned into service last week.
The two vessels were ordered as part of the Federal Government’s Enhanced Lethality Surface Combatant Fleet plan released in February 2024. At the time, the government said it planned to grow its fleet of patrol vessels to 25 to conduct border security and constabulary missions around Australia’s vast maritime territory.
The vessels will join six other Navy ECCPBs and a planned six larger Arafura-class Offshore Patrol Vessels (ACOPV) on maritime security operations in Australia’s north. These vessels are augmented by five Cape-class and nine ECCPBs operated by or on order for the Australian Border Force.
The ECCPB is an evolution of the Cape-class, 12 of which were built for the Navy and Border Force, while the Cape-class was itself an advanced development of the Navy’s Armidale-class boats, 14 of which were built in the early 2000s but have now been decommissioned.
Compared to the Cape-class, the ECCPB has several enhancements designed to extend the capability of the vessels, including increased accommodation for up to 32 people, and improved quality of life systems and advanced sustainment intelligence systems.
The future HMAS Cape Hawke at its February handover to the Navy. Photo: POIS Matthew Lyall, ADF.
The ECCPB is 58.1 metres long, has a beam of 10.6 metres, and a speed of up to 25 knots. It is powered by two Caterpillar 3516C engines, has advanced communications systems and sensors, and can be armed with a foredeck-mounted naval gun such as the 25 mm Bushmaster.
The Navy’s Commander Surface Force, Commodore Antony Pisani said the dual commissioning ceremony marked an important milestone in Navy’s ongoing growth and modernisation.
“Today’s commissioning formally welcomes HMAS Cape Spencer and HMAS Cape Hawke into service and represents another important step in growing and modernising Navy’s fleet to meet Australia’s future maritime security requirements,” he said.
“The ceremony today recognises the commitment and professionalism of the sailors who will take these ships to sea and deliver outcomes for their country.
“Every new ship brought into service contributes to a more lethal and resilient Navy, ensuring we are ready to respond to emerging challenges across our maritime domain.”
The Commanding Officer of HMAS Cape Spencer, Lieutenant Commander Marita Knack added, “The commissioning of HMAS Cape Spencer marks the beginning of the ship’s service to Australia and is a significant occasion for not only every member of the crew but all who supported this journey.”
Commanding Officer HMAS Cape Hawke, Lieutenant Commander Harrison Ingham echoed the sentiment, saying, “This is a big moment for our commissioning crew who are ready to contribute to the important work Navy undertakes every day in protecting Australia’s interests.”
