The last of the four Guardian Class Patrol Boats gifted to Papua New Guinea Defence Force – Maritime Element has been handed over to the PNG Government.

PNG Defence Minister Win Bakri Daki accepted the (NUSHIP) patrol boat in a ceremony at HMAS Stirling in Perth, Australia.

Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, said PNG and Australia are close friends with a long history of Defence cooperation.

“The Guardian-class Patrol Boat program is one of the most significant programs in support of our Pacific partners,” said Marles.

The NUSHIP which will be commissioned as HMPNGS Gilbert Toropo was designed and built by Australians in Australia.

This patrol boat joins Papua New Guinea’s other vessels Ted Diro, Rochus Lokinap and Francis Agwi as the 17th Guardian-class Patrol Boat delivered under the Australian Government’s Pacific Maritime Security Program.

The program is a 30-year commitment by the Australian Government to ensure uninterrupted engagement with our Pacific partners in support of a stable, prosperous, and secure region.

Australia’s minister for Defence Industry and International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy said the commitment is part of Australia’s long-standing commitment to support its Pacific partners.

“The construction and delivery of these Guardian-class Patrol Boats by Australia’s world class defence industry offers increased capability to our Pacific partners,” said Conroy.

The inclusion of this patrol boat will extend PNG’s ability to protect its territorial waters and tackle shared maritime security challenges such as illegal and unregulated fishing.

Australia’s minister for Defence Personnel, Matt Keogh said he was proud to deliver NUSHIP Gilbert Toropo.

“The Guardian Class Patrol Boats are critical assets that support Papua New Guinea’s maritime security operations, help to combat illegal fishing and support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts, contributing to the peace and prosperity of our region.”

Keogh emphasized that working together under the Pacific Maritime Security Program means we are well positioned to protect our collective maritime resources now, and into the future.

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