ADV Cape Pillar explained

Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Cape Pillar, named after Cape Pillar in Tasmania, is an evolved under construction for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).^{[1] [2]}

The ship will be the sixth of ten evolved Cape-class patrol boats to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy. Prior to Cape Pillar, the RAN already operated the Cape-class patrol boats and as well as the evolved Cape-class patrol boats,,, and .^{[1] [2]}

The ship is the last of the original six evolved Cape-class patrol boats the RAN ordered in April 2020 to replace the s in this role, at a projected cost of A$324million. This order was subsequently expanded by another two boats in April 2022, at an additional projected cost of $124million.^[3] In November 2023, the RAN ordered a further two evolved Cape-class patrols, at a cost of A$157.1million.^[4]

The ship is being built by Austal in Henderson, Western Australia and was launched in June 2023.^{[1] [2]}

She was commissioned on 13 October 2023 and is to be based at HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin, Northern Territory^[5] The ship was officially welcomed at HMAS Coonawarra on 8 February 2024.^[6]

External links

• Austal: Cape-class Patrol Boat (Austal Patrol 58)
• RAN page for Cape Pillar

Notes and References

1. Web site: ADV Cape Pillar Launched by Austal . 9 June 2023 . SeaWaves Magazine . 5 July 2023 .
2. Web site: Navy receives fifth Evolved Cape-class patrol boat . 23 June 2023 . Australian Defence Magazine . 5 July 2023 .
3. News: . 18 August 2022 . Evolved Cape-Class Patrol Boats, Australia . Naval Technology . 5 July 2023.
4. Web site: Securing continuous Naval Shipbuilding at Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia . live . https://archive.today/20240429080452/https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/media-releases/2023-11-23/securing-continuous-naval-shipbuilding-henderson-shipyard-western-australia . 29 April 2024 . 15 June 2024 . Australian Defence Ministry.
5. Web site: Bahtić . Fatima . 2023-10-13 . Austal delivers sixth evolved Cape-class patrol boat to Australia . 2023-10-16 . Naval Today . en-US.
6. News: Mike Hughes . 8 February 2024 . New beginnings for new patrol boat . Contact . Minnamurra, New South Wales. 12 February 2024.